UK PART 1 : UNITED KINGDOM

ACCIDENT LINE

The Law Society, 50 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1SX

Tel: Freephone 0500 192939

Accident Line Administrator: Ms McConnell

Status: Formed by the Law Society in 1994.

Principal functions and activities: Provides a free telephone consultation service and a free first interview with one of the Law Society's solicitors to help people injured in accidents decide whether they can make a claim against a third party.

ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (ASH) - See ASH THE CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM FROM TOBACCO

ADVISORY, CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION SERVICE (ACAS)

Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LW

Tel: 0171 210 3613 Fax: 0171 210 3708

Chairman: J Hougham

Status: Independent statutory body whose operation is directed by a council consisting of members appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Principal functions and activities: ACAS aims to improve industrial relations and employment practice, to minimise conflict in the workplace and to encourage all people at work to be involved in and committed to the greater effectiveness and success of their organisations. As part of its objective of promoting good practice in the workplace ACAS has the role of providing advice and assistance on all industrial relations issues including those concerned with health and the working environment. ACAS can be contacted through its national network of public enquiry points (listed in every phone book).

Major publications: A wide range of advisory booklets and handbooks on industrial relations and employment topics including a booklet entitled Health and Employment, can be obtained from: ACAS Reader Ltd., Tel: 01455 852225.

AGRICULTURAL TRAINING BOARD see ATB-Landbase

AIRMIC - THE ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGERS (formerly Association of Insurance and Risk Managers in Industry and Commerce (AIRMIC))

6 Lloyd's Avenue, London EC3N 3AX

Tel: 0171 480 7610 Fax: 0171 702 3752 Email: airmic@dial.pipex.com.

Executive Director: Miss I R Barker

Status: Limited by guarantee.

Principal functions and activities: To promote and support the practice of risk management in British industry and in the public sector. Organises conferences, conventions, seminars, teach-ins, working parties on risk control, health and safety, insurance buying and environmental protection.

Major publications: Monthly newsletter for members; quarterly risk management magazine entitled Business Risk; sale of collated papers from seminars, conferences, technical research and risk management surveys. Our affiliates, the Institute of Risk Management, publish a range of subject text books for the professional risk management exams.

AJAX HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES - see NORWICH UNION RISK SERVICES

ALUMINIUM FEDERATION (ALFED)

Broadway House, Calthorpe Road, Five Ways, Birmingham B15 1TN

Tel: 0121 456 1103 Fax: 0121 456 2274

Secretary General: Dr D A Harris

Status: Trade Association

Principal Functions and Activities: The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) is the Trade Association which represents the UK aluminium industry, from the primary sector through to the end users and recycling sectors. ALFED has over 200 Member Companies which are grouped into 12 Member Associations, representing a total workforce of over 30,000 people. ALFED provides its membership with a wide range of services: it helps Members to improve productivity, operate safe working practices and operate in an environmentally acceptable way. It assists in the search for new markets and increased usage of aluminium. It represents the interests of the UK aluminium industry in discussions with the UK Government, the European Parliament, the European Commission, official bodies such as BSI and with the media. It provides important links with schools and Universities. It publishes a wide range of publications and produces posters and videos. It maintains statistical information on aluminium production. It maintains an extensive library and gives technical advice to users of aluminium.

Major Publications: Safety Related Publications: Aluminium and Fire; Fire and Explosion Hazards in the Grinding and Polishing of Aluminium and its Alloys; Molten Aluminium, Parts 1 and 2; Safety in Works - code of Practice - Extrusion Press Guarding; Sawing Aluminium Alloys; The Safe Handling and Storage of Aluminium Powder and Paste. Extensive List of Publications on the Industry.

AMTRI VERITAS Limited

Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2NE

Tel: 01625 425421 Fax: 01625 434964

Email: young@amtri.co.uk

Director: N R Young

Status: Limited Company. Wholly owned subsidiary of AMTRI - The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Institute.

Principal functions and activities: A Notified Body under the Machinery Directive. Assessment and certification of machinery and safe components. A UKAS accredited certification body for assessment of quality systems to the ISO 9000 family of standards.

Major publications: A Technical File Workbook, ISBN I 90767007, which explains how to comply with the Machinery Directive. A Quality System Workbook for complying with ISO 9000.

ARCHITECTURAL CLADDING ASSOCIATION (ACA)

60 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB

Tel: 0116 253 6161 Fax: 0116 251 4568

Secretary: C J Budge

Status: A product association of the British Precast Concrete Federation Limited

ASBESTOS INFORMATION CENTRE LIMITED (AIC)

P.O. Box 69, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 9GW

Tel: 0151 420 5866 Fax: 0151 420 5853

Director General and Secretary: A J Higgins

Status: Trade association concerned with health and safety.

Principal functions and activities: To provide advice and assistance on the health, safety and environmental aspects of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. AIC liaises with government departments and other official bodies, trade unions, industry associations, scientific research bodies and the like on matters relating to asbestos.

ASBESTOS REMOVAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (ARCA)

Friars House, 6 Parkway, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0NF

Tel: 01245 259744 Fax: 01245 490722

Chief Executive: T Jago Membership Secretary: Ms S Dudley

Status: The trade association for the asbestos removal industry, being a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital

Principal functions and activities: To promote and maintain the safe working standards required for the handling and removal of asbestos and other airborne hazardous materials. To liaise and co-operate with the various statutory bodies concerned and to assist in matters relating to health and safety. To represent the interests of companies engaged in the handling or removal of asbestos and other airborne hazardous materials from existing structures, plant and pipework. To liaise closely with government and other concerned bodies in the preparation and monitoring of existing and future legislation governing work with asbestos. To provide associate membership to companies and organisations concerned with the supply of services and equipment to the asbestos removal industry. Through the A.R.C.A. Information Service to provide advice, technical information and awareness of the industry to subscribers. To conduct joint training courses for asbestos removal operatives, supervisors and line managers, at centres throughout the country.

ASH THE CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM FROM TOBACCO

Devon House, 12-15 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BL

Tel: 0171 314 1360 Fax: 0171 222 4343

Chief Executive: P Furness

Status: ASH is a charity founded by the Royal College of Physicians in order to draw attention to and reduce the health risks of smoking.

Principal functions and activities: ASH is active in advocating better control of tobacco. This requires legislative steps and the promotion of public awareness of the dangers of smoking and passive smoking (exposure to other people's tobacco smoke) and hence the need for smoke-free air as the norm. ASH answers enquiries by phone or letter about any aspect of tobacco use.

Major Publications: the bimonthly Burning Views which provides a brief but detailed overview of smoke-related news from the national and local press, medical journals and trade periodicals.

ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIALIST FIRE PROTECTION (ASFP)

Association House, 235 Ash Road, Aldershot, Hants GU12 4DD

Tel: 01252 21322 Fax: 01252 333901

Secretary: J G Fairley

Status: Trade association incorporated as a company limited by guarantee supported by membership funding.

Principal functions and activities: The ASFPCM represents the interests of manufacturers, contractors, specialist suppliers, consultants and other related bodies within the passive fire protection industry. Via its own technical consultant and committee, ASFPCM provides specialist information and advice to specifiers and clients within the industry, liaising with regulatory bodies in the UK and EC and overseeing the production of the publication of technical data and guidance. Other specialist committees deal with business development, contracting conditions, European harmonisation and health and safety issues.

Major publications: Fire Protection for Structural Steel in Buildings - (The Yellow Book); Fire Stopping & Penetration Seals for the Construction Industry - (The Red Book); Fire Protection of Timber Floors - (The Green Book); Sprayed Man-Made Mineral Wool for Additional Fire Protection to Concrete Elements - technical guidance note; Spray Coatings for the Fire Protection of Structural Steel - technical guidance note.

ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH INDEPENDENT OIL EXPLORATION COMPANIES (BRINDEX)

c/o British-Borneo Petroleum Syndicate, P.L.C., 8th Floor, East Wing, Bowater House, 68 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JX.

Tel: 0171 581 8822 Fax: 0171 584 8562

Chairman: A J Gaynor Honorary Secretary: P M Hope

Honorary Treasurer: C Jamieson

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: Formed in May 1974. The membership now includes most of the British independents and represents a significant part of the United Kingdom upstream oil sector.

The objects are to ensure a proper understanding and acceptance of the important needs and the special role of independent British companies in oil and gas exploration and production. To provide a forum for the discussion of technical, financial, political, legal and administrative matters of common interest to its members. To present the views of the independent sector of the UK oil exploration and production industry in discussions with the Government.

ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH RIDING SCHOOLS (ABRS)

Queens Chambers, 38/40 Queen Street, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4BH

Tel: 01736 69440 Fax: 01736 51390

Chairman: Mrs P B Harris General Secretary: Mrs J Packer

Status: Lead body riding schools.

Principal functions: Training, education, leisure pursuits linked to equestrian activities.

Major Publications: Annual handbook; training directories with respect to equitation, stable management, associated activities; regular newsletter; regular health and safety guidance to all proprietors.

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS (ACE)

12 Caxton Street, Westminster, London SW1H OQL

Tel: 0171 222 6557 Fax: 0171 222 0750

Email: consult@acenet.co.uk Internet: http://www.acenet.co.uk

Chief Executive: Brigadier H C Woodrow

Director of Professional Affairs and health and safety contact: B V Woodford

Status: A company limited by guarantee. ACE is supported by its membership and aims to advance the profession of consulting engineering and to promote the professional ideals and collective business interest of its members.

Principal functions and activities: Health and safety matters are, inter alia, covered by the Professional Practice Committee of the Association with responsibilities to oversee all relevant developments in legislation (both UK and European) and thus to identify any relevant matter having an impact on the work of consulting engineers; to draft and issue guidance to ACE Members on relevant matters of concern; to study consultative documents and other drafts submitted to the association and to comment thereon on behalf of the Association.

Major publications: ACE Conditions of Engagement; Quality Assurance guidance note with Synopses for Quality Manual and Operational Procedures; Advice to Clients on Selection of Consulting Engineers and on Fee Competition; guidance notes on health and safety and other subjects; directory of members.

ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGERS IN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE see AIRMIC

ASSOCIATION OF LOADING AND ELEVATING EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS (ALEM)

Ambassador House, Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath CR7 7JG

Tel: 0181 665 5395 Fax: 0181 665 6447

Secretary: A C Skipper

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: Representative organisation for manufacturers of loading and elevating equipment (i.e. scissor lifts, dock levellers, tail board lifts, etc.)

Major publications: Membership List, Specifiers Guide to Scissor Lift Tables.

ASSOCIATION OF MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF (AMPS)

Divers Section, Parkgates, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 OJW

Tel: 0161 773 8621 Fax: 0161 798 6182

Executive Secretary: A J Casey

Status: Trade union

Principal functions and activities: Member of the Federation of Professional Associations, autonomous section of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) Electrical Section. To represent members involved in the diving industry and to provide advice and information to members about the working environment offshore.

Major publications: Quarterly Report.

ASSOCIATION OF NOISE CONSULTANTS (ANC)

6 Trap Road, Guilden Morden, Near Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 0GE

Tel: 01763 852958 Fax: 01763 853252

Chairman: K Ratcliffe Hon. Secretary: D Fleming

Status: Corporate organisation for independent firms of consultants offering professional services in the fields of noise and vibration.

Principal functions and activities: To improve and control the standard of service offered and to protect the interests of clients whilst promoting the reputation of the profession. Occasional conferences are held.

Major publications: Membership List.

ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALIST UNDERPINNING CONTRACTORS (ASUC)

235 Ash Road, Aldershot, Hants, GU12 4DD

Tel: 01252 336318 Fax: 01252 333901

Status: Trade organisation

Principal functions and activities: Formed by a number of leading contractors who wish to demonstrate the high standard of workmanship available and promote professional and technical competence in a hitherto fragmented and unregulated industry.

ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY RADIATION PROTECTION OFFICERS (AURPO)

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE

Tel: 01772 893574/893594 Fax: 01772 892903 Email: c.edwards1@uclan.ac.uk

Honorary Secretary: Mrs C Edwards

Status: Professional organisation whose members come mainly from universities and similar establishments involved in the training of undergraduates and graduates in the field of science engineering and medicine.

Principal functions and activities: The principal aim of the association is to increase knowledge and understanding of radiation protection in the ionising and non-ionising radiation sphere and also to promote discussion and training. The association organises conferences and scientific meetings either on its own or with other societies. The association is represented on various external United Kingdom committees including technical committees of the British Standards Institution. It is regularly consulted by various national bodies for comments on future proposals and these are supplied by the association's Technical Co-ordinating Committee. The association is a constituent member of the British Radiation Protection Association which is the United Kingdom society linked to the International Radiation Protection Association. Members of the association act as outside consultants to industry on scientific problems related to measurement of radiation of all kinds.

Major publications: The association publishes a newsletter several times a year which keeps members informed of forthcoming legislation, scientific papers published, and generally keeps members informed about conferences, meetings and similar events. The association has written several monographs relating to radiation and measurement and other safety topics relating to universities. These are published by H and H Scientific Consultants Ltd., P.O. Box MT27, Leeds LS17 8QA.

ASTON UNIVERSITY, MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, HEALTH & SAFETY UNIT

Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET

Tel: 0121 359 3611- Ext. 4700 Fax: 0121 333 7043 Email: hsu@aston.ac.uk

Director of Unit: Professor R T Booth

Status: University establishment, funded by government, research councils, industry and charities.

Principal functions and activities: To carry out research, co-ordinate knowledge, and provide assistance and training in the field of occupational health and safety. The programme of the unit is mainly concerned with: definition and measurement of hazards and safety limits; specific hazards, assessment of risk control measures and the development of expert systems in health and safety management.

Major publications: The findings of research and study work carried out by the unit as a whole are generally reported in Journal of Occupational Accidents and other appropriate journals.

ATB-LANDBASE (formerly (ATB) Agricultural Training Board)

Customer Services Unit, National Agricultural Centre, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LG

Tel: 01203 416178 Fax: 01203 411655

Lo-call Training Helpline - Tel: 0345 078007

Status: Industry Training Organisation

Principal functions and activities: To ensure that agricultural, horticultural and other rural industries have access to the best practicable training for their employees, managers and employers. Safety training is provided at all levels and craft, supervisory and management training uses acknowledged safe working practices based on consultation with the industry, trade unions, the HSE and other relevant bodies.

Major publications: Skills guides, guide notes, charts, technical notes and other training aids. Product literature is available from the above.

BCIRA see CAST METALS DEVELOPMENT LTD

BEAMA see Federation of British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers' Associations

BIBRA INTERNATIONAL (formerly BIBRA Toxicology International)

Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 4DS

Tel: 0181 652 1000 Fax: 0181 661 7029 Email: help@bibra.co.uk

Information Contact: Dr P G Brantom

Status: Independent non-profit-making research organisation supported by membership.

Principal functions and activities: Founded in 1960 to promote research and other scientific work in toxicology. BIBRA has three main elements to its business: contract services, research and information/advice. The contract services cover a wide range of studies for safety evaluation of chemicals in rodents, as well as clinical studies. BIBRA has a large programme of research related to the fundamental problems of toxicology, much of it funded by UK government. The Information Department provides evaluative expertise and advice on all aspects of chemical toxicology, and holds a unique collection of scientific papers and legislative material. Member companies who pay an annual subscription have access to information and consultancy services. Occupying a position between government and industry, BIBRA plays an important role in maintaining communication between these two parties on all toxicological matters particularly through informal closed meetings of the BIBRA Group Forum System. BIBRA acts as a centre for training in toxicology, organising courses ranging from introductory to postgraduate speciality education for industrial and government personnel. The association also contributes to a number of external university-based toxicology courses.

Major publications: Food and Chemical Toxicology; Toxicology in Vitro; Scientific Papers; BIBRA Bulletin now available on subscription to non-members; Newsletter; Toxicity Profiles; Annual Report; brochure.

BLC THE LEATHER TECHNOLOGY CENTRE (formerly British Leather Confederation)

Leather Trade House, Kings Park Road, Moulton Park, Northampton NN3 6JD

Tel: 01604 494131 Fax: 01604 648220 Telex: 317210 BUREAU G

Email: info@blcleathertech.com Internet: http://www.blcleathertech.com

Secretary: R P Pearson Health and Safety: R J Bowden and J Purvis

Status: Trade association and research association.

Principal functions and activities: Promotes co-operation within the leather manufacturing industry, liaises with government departments on problems in the economic, social, commercial, labour and technical areas affecting the membership. In the field of safety is responsible for acquainting membership of and assisting in the interpretation of relevant legislation. The research side of the Confederation provides a comprehensive technical service to members on health and safety matters. Provision of safety training courses including for example, COSHH and risk assessment.

Major publications: A number of codes of practice and guidance notes relating to safe practices, chemical hazards etc., for the leather producing industry. Training manuals and vocational qualification standards.

BREWERS AND LICENSED RETAILERS ASSOCIATION (formerly Brewers' Society)

42 Portman Square, London W1H OBB

Tel: 0171 486 4831 Fax: 0171 935 3991

Status: Trade association for the brewing industry and owners of licensed premises.

Principal functions and activities: To represent member companies' interests, nationally and internationally, and to supply information and advice to them. Health and safety matters are the concern of the Health and Safety Legislation Panel.

Major publications: Code of Practice for Dispense of Beer by Pressure Systems in Licensed Premises; Code of Practice for Electrical Safety in Beer Dispense in Licensed Premises; COSHH as Applied to Licensed Premises - Guidance for Licensees; The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 - Guidance for Licensees; Safety in Pubs - A Comprehensive Guide to Health, Safety and Security.

BRINDEX see Association of British Independent Oil Exploration Companies

BRITISH AGGREGATE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS INDUSTRIES (BACMI) LTD

156 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TR

Tel: 0171 730 8194 Fax: 0171 730 4355

Contact: Health and Safety Officer

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: National point of reference for those engaged in the production, processing and laying of aggregate materials: negotiations with government departments and other bodies on economic, fiscal, legal, planning, technical, health and safety questions.

Major publications: Publications on health and safety include a quarterly summary of accident statistics and booklets on compressed air, dust, electricity, explosives, noise, welding, conveyors and quarry vehicles, as well as briefing notes on topical items of health and safety interest. There is a slide/tape programme on quarry safety and a video film for children on the same subject.

Conferences: both national and regional are held to improve safe working in the aggregates industries.

BRITISH AGROCHEMICALS ASSOCIATION

4 Lincoln Court, Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2RP

Tel: 01733 349225 Fax: 01733 62523

Information contact: R Trow-Smith

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: Promotes the responsible and safe manufacture and use of agrochemicals, including the professional amenity sector and amateur garden market, with due regard for the interests of the community and the environment. Provides information to the general public through 'Fact Centre' on all aspects of pesticides.

Major publications: Annual Review and Handbook including industry statistics; The Plain Man's Guide to Pesticides and the COSHH Assessment; Glove Hygiene; Pesticide Disposal; Container Rinsing; Garden Chemical Guide; Amenity Handbook; Think Water; Keep it Clean; Good Agrochemical Storage.

BRITISH APPROVALS FOR FIRE EQUIPMENT (BAFE)

48a Eden Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 1EE

Tel: 0181 541 1950 Fax: 0181 547 1564

General Secretary: B Gately

Status: Certification organisation in active fire protection equipment and services

Principal functions: Formed in 1984, BAFE is a non-profit making organisation whose primary objective is to raise and maintain high standards of quality in active fire protection equipment and services. This is achieved by suppliers submitting to assessment and certification, and buyers specifying equipment and services from BAFE approved manufacturers and BAFE registered firms. BAFE began as a result of a Government initiative in 1980 and the White Paper of July 1982 "Standards, Quality and International Competitiveness". The Workplace Safety Directives tasks employers to be able to prove they have assessed the fire risk to all who may enter a building under their control. The use of BAFE certificated equipment, installed and maintained by BAFE registered companies goes a long way towards discharging this responsibility in the area of fire safety. The regulatory authorities support BAFE through Third Party Certification Schemes. By only giving its approval to a single scheme criteria for each product or service, BAFE removes the need for multiple testing and certification. The BAFE Governing Council comprises of: Regulatory Authorities; Certification Bodies; Test Houses; Trade Members; and System Users. BAFE schemes cover portable fire extinguishers, fire extinguishing systems and at the request of the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association (CACFOA), BAFE has developed a scheme for the design, installation, commissioning and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems as well as a modular scheme covering the installations and a separate scheme relating to maintenance. Information on all aspects of BAFE may be obtained, free of charge, from the General Secretary.

BRITISH CEMENT ASSOCIATION (BCA)

Century House, Telford Avenue, Crowthorne, Berks, RG45 6YS

Tel: 01344 762 676 Fax: 01344 761 214 Internet: http://www.BCA.ORG.UK

Director: Dr J F Moore Information Contact: K Brogan

Status: Trade and research association

Principal functions: Trade association representing the three principal United Kingdom cement producers.

Major Publications: Ready-mixed Concrete; Publications and Video Catalogue 1996/97.

BRITISH CERAMIC CONFEDERATION (formerly British Ceramic Manufacturers' Federation)

Federation House, Station Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2SA

Tel: 01782 744631 Fax: 01782 744102

Chief Executive: K Farrell Comnercial & Public Affairs Director: C Hall

Health and Safety Contact: F Morrall (Employment Director)

Status: Trade and employers' association

Principal functions and activities: To promote and protect the common interests of the ceramics industry in all spheres and activity which affect members' operations.

Major publications: In conjunction with the HSC's Ceramic Industry Advisory Committee (CIAC) a number of publications have been issued. These include the Ceramic Industry Approved Code of Practice and Precautions for Kiln Wreck Clearance. Health and Safety Bulletin.

BRITISH CERAMIC RESEARCH LIMITED see CERAM Research

BRITISH CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (BCECA)

1-3 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4NR

Tel: 0171 839 6514 Fax: 0171 930 3466 Email: 101523.140@compuserve.com

Director: D J Coates

Status: Trade association representing the principal companies in the UK providing engineering design and construction services to a wide range of process industries.

Principal functions and activities: The purpose of BCECA is to improve public understanding of members' activities and to provide a focal point for representation of its members' interests in discussion with customers, UK government, EC institutions and other interested parties. Health and safety issues are considered both in relation to members' management of construction sites and to the health, safety and environmental aspects of process plant design. On and Offshore Environmental, Health and Safety Committees deal specifically with all onshore projects and offshore installations respectively.

Major publication: Annual Business Statistics.

BRITISH COMPRESSED GASES ASSOCIATION (BCGA)

14 Tollgate, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 3TG

Tel: 01703 641488 Fax: 01703 641477

Secretary: M H Moye

Status: A trade association representing the UK industrial gases industry.

Principal functions and activities: To represent the interests of companies engaged in the manufacture, application and distribution of industrial gases, the manufacture of gas containers, pressure vessels and tank containers and equipment associated with the application and use of them, i.e. all gases used in the industrial food, scientific and medical fields. BCGA's principal objectives are to provide informed expert advice on all technical and safety issues related to industrial gases and to liaise with government departments and other bodies in the preparation of standards and legislation. BCGA does not represent the interests of the compressed air or natural gas industries.

Major publications: BCGA also prepares and publishes a series of codes of practice to provide guidance on safe practices relating to all aspects of the handling and use of industrial gases.

BRITISH CONSTRUCTIONAL STEELWORK ASSOCIATION LIMITED (BCSA)

4 Whitehall Court, Westminster, London SW1A 2ES

Tel: 0171 839 8566 Fax: 0171 976 1634

Director: Dr D Tordoff

Manager, Research & Development: A J Fairweather

Director of Engineering: P J Williams (re safety aspects)

Director of Legal & Contractual Affairs: Mrs M C Rich

RQSC Scheme Administrator: Miss G M Mitchell

SCQA Scheme Manager: A C Smith

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd is the national organisation for the constructional steelwork industry. The principal objectives of the Association are to promote the use of structural steelwork to assist specifiers and clients; to ensure that the capabilities and activities of the industry are widely understood and to provide members with professional services in technical, commercial, contractual and quality assurance matters. BCSA also operates the Government approved Register of Qualified Steelwork Contractors Scheme (RQSC) which assesses the competence and ability of companies and the Steel Construction QA Scheme, an independent specialist QA Scheme for the steel construction industry.

Major publications: The BCSA has over 80 publications in its list. Those dealing specifically with safety aspects are: Structural Steelwork - Erection; Erectors' Manual; The National Structural Steelwork Specification.

BRITISH ELASTIC ROPE SPORTS ASSOCIATION (BERSA)

33A Canal Street, Oxford OX2 6BQ

Tel: 01865 311179 Fax: 01865 311189

Chairman: D Boston

Status: Self regulatory, self funding, non-profit making organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Safety governing body of elastic rope sports in the UK and Europe, including bungee jumping.

Major publications: The BERSA Code of Safe Practice; The BERSA Guidelines for Safety Officers.

BRITISH EXAMINING BOARD IN OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

Suite 2, Georgian House, Great Northern Road, Derby DE1 1LT

Tel: 01332 298087 Fax: 01332 298099

Status: Examining Board awarding professional qualifications to occupational hygiene practitioners.

Principal functions and activities: The Board makes three levels of awards to candidates successful in passing the Board's examinations; Preliminary Certificates, Occupational Hygiene Modules, Certificate of Operational Competence, and Diploma of Professional Competence. It acts as the examining body for membership of the Institute of Occupational Hygienists.

Major publications: Regulations Handbook; Syllabi.

BRITISH FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION LTD (BFPSA)

48a Eden Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 1EE

Tel: 0181 549 5855 Fax: 0181 547 1564

Principal Functions and Activities: BFPSA was formed in 1966 and is recognised as the co-ordinating body for the Fire Protection Systems Industry, representing the collective interest to Government; EEC Commission, BSI, CBI, The Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association (CACFOA), The Loss Prevention Council Board (LPCB), EUROFEU (The European Association for the Manufacturers of Fire Protection Equipment and Fire Fighting Vehicles), EURALARM (The Association of European Manufacturers of Fire and Intruder Alarm Systems) and other trade and professional bodies. It is a member of the Fire Industry Council (FIC), British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) and the U.K. Sectoral Committee for Fire and Security (SCOFS). PFPSA is represented on many BSI Technical Committees and via BSI on European and International Standard Committees and forums. It assists in the preparation of acceptable British, European and international fire codes and standards covering product design, commissioning and servicing of fire protection equipment and systems through quality management. The Association has a membership of eighty major U.K. companies. Through the FIC, the Association has in place a Voluntary Agreement between the U.K. Government and the Fire Protection Industry on the use of HFC and PFC fire fighting agents supporting the Government's objective of progressive reductions in emissions of potentially global warming gases.

Major Publications: BFPSA Code of Practice for Gaseous Fire Fighting Systems, BFPSA Guidance for Power Supplies for use in Alarm Systems; BFPSA Code of Practice for the Design, Installation and Servicing of Voice Alarm Systems associated with Fire Detection Systems; BFPSA Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems, BFPSA Manual (3 Volumes) with a continuous updating service. The BFPSA Directory (free).

BRITISH FLAT ROOFING COUNCIL (BFRC)

177 Bagnall Road, Basford, Nottingham NG6 8SJ

Tel: 0115 942 4200 Fax: 0115 942 4488 Email: BRFC.Demon.Co.UK

Director General: Dr P K Newman

Status: Independent lead body

Principal functions and activities: An independent non-profit making organisation representing through its membership, both manufacturing and contracting arms of the flat and low-pitched roofing industry; formed to provide a single, unbiased authoritative voice on all matters to do with flat roofing.

Major Publications: Flat Roofing: Design & Good Practice.

BRITISH HEALTH AND SAFETY SOCIETY (BHSS)

PO Box 4653, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 3QA.

Tel:/Fax: 01527 570440

Secretary: Dr M Buttolph

Status: Learned society

Principal functions and activities: The primary aims of the society are: to encourage the interchange of information and provide a forum for debate in the subject of occupational health and safety; to promote research and scholarship in the subject; and to further the development of health and safety as a discipline and profession. With these aims in mind, the major activities of the society are the organisation of conferences and seminars, the provision of a detailed membership directory and the production of various publications.

Major publications: Journal of Health & Safety; proceedings of conferences, seminars, and members' newsletter.

BRITISH INDUSTRIAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION see BIBRA International

BRITISH INDUSTRIAL TRUCK ASSOCIATION (BITA)

Scammell House, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JF.

Tel: 01344 23800 Fax: 01344 291197

Director General: G Coates

Principal functions and activities: BITA represents all the major interests in the industrial truck industry in the United Kingdom and is actively engaged in improving the status of the industrial truck as an essential tool of industry by promoting efficiency and safety in truck design manufacture and use.

Major publications: Operators' Safety Code for Powered Industrial Trucks; Operators' Safety Code for Rough Terrain Lift Trucks; Do's and Don'ts for Users of Industrial and Rough Terrain Lift Trucks; Stability Awareness: A range of guidance notes on engineering and use aspects of industrial and rough terrain trucks.

BRITISH LEATHER CONFEDERATION see BLC The Leather Technology Centre

BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (BMA)

BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP

Tel: 0171 387 4499 Fax: 0171 383 6400 or 0171 383 6402 (BMJ Publishing)

Secretary: Dr E M Armstrong

Status: A voluntary association of registered medical practitioners.

Divisions or Departments concerned with the interests of doctors in general practice, hospital practice, public health medicine and community health, academic medicine, occupational health, Armed Forces, special interest groups, and professional, ethical, scientific and international affairs.

Principal functions and activities: To promote the medical and allied sciences, and to maintain the honour and interests of the medical profession.

Major publications: British Medical Journal (weekly); BMA News Review (monthly); the BMJ Publishing Group publishes 30 other journals, including the British Journal of Industrial Medicine (monthly).

BRITISH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH FOUNDATION (BOHRF)

9 Millbank, London SW1P 3JF

Tel: 0171 798 5869 Fax: 0171 798 5894

Director General: D M L McWilliam Executive Secretary: H Brereton

Status: Registered charity

Principal functions and activities: Assessment of occupational health research priorities; granting awards towards such research commissioning, monitoring, supervising and publishing the useful results of such research; raising general and specific funds to pay for research.

Major publications: Workers exposed to mineral acid mists: Dr David Coggon, University of Southampton. Completed July 1995. Has been published in the July 1996 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, title "Upper acrodigestive cancer in battery manufacturers and steel workers exposed to mineral acid mists"; Survey of occupational health priorities: Professor Malcolm Harrington, IOH, Birmingham. Completed December 1995. Has been published in the September 1996 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Newsletter.

BRITISH OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE SOCIETY (BOHS)

Suite 2, Georgian House, Great Northern Road, Derby DE1 1LT

Tel: 01332 298101 Fax: 01332 298099

Email: 100705.3356@compuserve.com Internet: http://www.ed.ac.uk/~robin/bohs.html

Hon. Secretary: Ms A Wright-Read

Status: Learned society

Principal functions and activities: To promote occupational and environmental hygiene. Conferences, symposia and workshops are held regularly to discuss problems with industry, specific hazards or stresses and methods for reduction of risk. The Society has seven regional organisers responsible for organising local meetings, and operates the following special interest groups: Occupational Hygiene Information Systems; Indoor Environment; National Health Service; Sampling & Analytical Methods; Electronics and Telecommunications; Chemical Hazard & Risk; Radiation; offshore.

Major publications: Annals of Occupational Hygiene (bi-monthly); Newsletter (quarterly); and technical guides.

BRITISH PEST CONTROL ASSOCIATION (BPCA)

3 St James' Court, Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BT

Tel: 01332 294288 Fax: 01332 295904

Executive Director: R J Strand

Status: Trade association.

Principal functions and activities: Services companies or others engaged in the control of certain food, hygiene or nuisance pests, or having a close interest with industrial pest control. Membership embraces companies engaged in the control of pests in domestic premises, factories, catering establishments, food stores, ships and hospitals etc. The area of pest control work covered is essentially that directly concerned with the storage and preparation of clean appetising food together with the preservation of good public health standards for the nation. BPCA also represents the manufacturers or formulators of pesticides, chemicals and equipment for pest control used by servicing companies. It sees itself as representing those companies which are in the forefront of the continuing battle to protect the public from the health hazards and economic ravages for which pests are responsible. In pursuit of these aims, it supports the responsible and safe use of pesticides with due regard for the interests of the general public, children, domestic animals and the environment.

Major publications: List of Members/Directory; proceedings of latest conference; Annual Report; A-Z of Household Pests.

BRITISH PRECAST CONCRETE FEDERATION

60 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB

Tel: 0116 253 6161 Fax: 0116 251 4568

Secretary: J Carter

Status: Trade association

Principal functions: Promotion of precast concrete

Major Publications: Directory

BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION (BPF)

6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JE

Tel: 0171 457 5000 Fax: 0171 457 5045

Director: D R Jones Health and Safety Contact: Dr M Gick

Status: Company limited by guarantee.

Principal functions and activities: Trade federation for plastics and allied products. Under the umbrella of the BPF, there are four committees dealing with health and safety: Fire Safety Committee; Composites Health and Safety Committee; Industrial Health and Safety Committee; Product Safety Committee.

BRITISH RIG OWNERS' ASSOCIATION (BROA)

Carthusian Court, 12 Carthusian Street, London EC1M 6EB

Tel: 0171 417 8400 Fax: 0171 626 8135

Manager: M H Stubbings Secretary: P W D Holman

Status: Trade association primarily concerned with technical and regulatory developments relating to the design, construction, equipment and operation of mobile offshore units.

Principal functions and activities: To promote and protect the interests of British owners and managers of mobile offshore units used in connection with offshore exploration and exploitation; to represent the views of the industry to government departments and other organisations, both national and international.

BRITISH ROBOT ASSOCIATION (BRA)

Aston Science Park, Love Lane, Aston, Birmingham B7 4BJ

Tel: 0121 628 1745 Fax: 0121 628 1746

Contact: D Pitt

Status: The association for robotics and automation.

Major publications: Newsletters; news summaries; robot facts; datafile specifications and other occasional publications.

BRITISH RUBBER MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION LIMITED (BRMA)

Health Research Unit, Scala House, Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1EQ

Tel: 0121 643 9269 Fax: 0121 631 3297

Medical Director: Dr J K Straughan

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: To promote the interests of its members; to establish and disseminate industry wide views on health, safety and environmental matters relating to the rubber sector; to influence government departments, agencies and international organisations; to formulate and implement policies on matters affecting the health and safety of employees and customers; to provide a urine cytology screening service for its members and non-members of the Association.

Major publications: A range of booklets on the safety aspects of the most widely used items of manufacturing plant; occasional bulletins on safety and health matters; a code of practice covering the safe use and handling of over 200 materials in common use in the industry; reports on epidemiological studies carried out under the auspices of the association's health unit.

BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL (BSC)

National Safety Centre, Chancellor's Road, London W6 9RS

Tel: 0181 741 1231/2371 Fax nos: 0181 741 4555; 0181 741 4671; 0181 741 0835; 0181 563 7657

Internet: http://www.britishsafetycouncil.co.uk/ Email: bsc1@mail.britishsafetycouncil.co.uk

Status: Non profit-making registered charity funded by 26,000 member companies.

Principal functions and activities: Provides a comprehensive accident prevention training programme to 16,000 delegates and some training is devoted to preparation for Diploma in Safety Management.

Major publications: Safety Management (monthly); Health and Safety at Work Act Newsletter (monthly); Safety Attitude Guides (monthly); information sheets and booklets.

BRITISH SAFETY INDUSTRY FEDERATION (BSIF)

St Asaph Business Park, Glascoed Road, St Asaph, Clwyd LL17 7LJ

Tel: 01745 585600 Fax: 01745 585800

Information contact: G Hooke

Status: Trade body

Principal functions and activities: Membership services and lead association for PPE Directive.

Major publications: Health and Safety Europe.

BRITISH SOFT DRINKS ASSOCIATION LIMITED (BSDA)

20-22 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LR

Tel: 0171 430 0356 Fax: 0171 831 6014

Director General: R A Hayward Environment Executive: C Morley

Status: Independent trade association

Principal functions and activities: The BSDA represents the manufacturers of still and carbonated soft drinks, concentrates, freeze drinks, fruit juices, natural mineral waters, spring waters and table waters. It offers a wide range of services to its members, including advice on legal, technical and safety matters. It represents the views of the industry to government departments, national and international organisations and is the nominated Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the industry, running training courses on industry specific subjects.

Major publications: Soft Drinks Management International (a monthly magazine); How Things Have Changed! - a video training package on health and safety; Health and Safety in the Bottling Industries: Notes of Guidance, 2nd edition; Code of Practice for the Dispense of Soft Drinks by Pressure Systems; BSDA Electricity at Work: Guidance for the Soft Drinks Industry; BSDA Factory Hygiene Training Package.

BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION (BSI)

389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL

Tel: 0181 996 9000

Sales: Customer Services, Publications, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL.

Tel: 0181 996 7000 Fax: 0181 996 7400

Enquiries: Customer Services, Information, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL.

Tel: 0181 996 7000

Status: Independent, non profit making. Operates under a royal charter.

Principal functions and activities: The nationally recognised organisation for preparing standards which are used in all industries and technologies. BSI represents the views of British industry in discussions on standards with international bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and also CEN/CENELEC, the Joint Standards Institution which work towards harmonization of standards requirements. The Technical Help to Exporters (THE) is a unique export advisory service which exists to give guidance to British companies seeking to sell their products abroad.

Major publications: British Standard Specifications covering all subjects. BSI Catalogue (Annual); BSI Sales Bulletin (6 PA); BSI News (monthly); BSI Buyers Guide Sectional lists; Quality in Action 1992; BSI in Europe (Quarterly); Technical Export News.

BRITISH STANDARDS SOCIETY (BSS)

BSI, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL

Tel: 0181 996 7081 Fax: 0181 996 7091

Chairman: R V Wright, Programme Director, Health, Home and Care Services, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Regent House,Regent Street, Barnsley, S Yorks S70 2TG

Tel: 01226 772502 Fax: 01226 293291

Secretary: Mrs P Hall, 39 Raglan Gardens, Oxhey, Watford, Herts WD1 4LJ

Tel. and Fax: 01923 252361

Status: Part of the British Standards Institution which is an independent body incorporated by royal charter. The society is supported and administered by BSI.

Principal functions and activities: The Society is an association of individuals concerned with the application of standards, who join on a personal basis. Its main aims are to help standards users in their understanding and use of standards, to encourage contact between standards users to provide BSI with feedback on the practical application of standards. It also maintains contacts with similar organisations in other countries as the UK member of the International Federation for the Application of Standards (IFAN). The Society provides a forum, through regional meetings and seminars, for standards users and to discuss common interests and problems. Its specialist user groups on Building, Electronics, Management Systems, Consumer Products and Services, Health and Environment and IT standards, organise regular forums on issues of specific technical interest.

Major publications: An annual members' handbook, containing details of all the members and their technical specialisations, an annual information/programme card and a quarterly newsletter. The society has also published a number of documents in the BSI PD series, including PD 3542 : 1995 Standards and Quality Management : an Integrated Approach. This provides practical guidance on the use of standards as a basis for quality and legal compliance and contains a section on the relationship between standards and the law, especially health and safety at work, COSHH, environmental protection and product liability legislation.

BRITISH TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY GROUP (BTTG)

Shirley House, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2RB

Tel: 0161 445 8141 Fax: 0161 434 9957

Internet: http://www.bttg.co.uk Email: MJCHewson@bttg.co.uk

Wira House, West Park Ring Road, Leeds LS16 6QL

Tel: 0113 259 1999 Fax: 0113 278 0306

Managing Director: A J King Information Contact: Dr M J C Hewson

Status: Independent research and technical centre.

Principal functions and activities: Research and development work in all aspects of health and safety. To provide information, advice and services within both the textile industry and other areas on technical, environmental and legal matters. Services include COSHH, Risk and Noise Assessments etc., on site surveys in the field of occupational health and hygiene, dust, noise, toxic gas and fume monitoring and machine safety, as well as the early detection of microbiological contamination. Extensive physical, chemical, microbiological and flammability testing facilities are available and are widely used by suppliers, retailers and other agencies. Information dissemination is through occasional publications, visual aids, public relations activities seminars, workshops and training courses as well as library and information services including a computerised data base.

BRITISH WOODWORKING FEDERATION (BWF)

Broadway House, Tothill Street, London SW1H 9NQ

Tel: 0171 222 1522 Fax: 0171 222 1577

Director: D A Morgan Secretary: M E Lee

Status: Trade federation.

Principal functions and activities: Providing an advisory service to manufacturers of builders' woodwork.

Major publications: Employer's Guide to Health and Safety in the Woodworking Industry.

BUILDING EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION (formerly Building Advisory Service)

82 New Cavendish Street, London W1M 8AD

Tel: 0171 580 5696 Fax: 0171 323 4042

Commercial Services Manager: V W Lander

Status: Founded in 1954 to promote efficiency and profitability in the construction industry: is the management and consultancy training arm of the Building Employers Confederation - the major employers' organisation for the building industry.

Principal functions and activities: The Safety and Health Division provides a wide range of safety and health consultancy and training services for management, supervisory and operative levels in the construction and allied industries, both in the UK and countries abroad. A site inspection service is also provided.

Major publications: Construction Safety Manual updating amendments issued annually; Construction Safety Information Service (6 issues per year); Construction CHASE - a unique safety and health evaluation and audit system.

BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT (BRE)

Garston, Watford WD2 7JR

Tel: 01923 894040 Fax: 01923 664010

Internet: http://www.bre.co.uk

Chief Executive: R Courtney Head of Marketing: G Moores

Status: An executive agency of the Department of the Environment until February 1997 when BRE expects to transfer to the private sector.

Principal functions and activities: BRE is the main organisation in the UK carrying out research into building and construction and the prevention and control of fire. Staffed by experts who are leaders in their fields, BRE has many specialised technical facilities, and provides services to Government and the construction industry. BRE provides much of the technical basis for Building Regulations and contributes to British, European and international codes and standards. BRE undertakes consultancy and research commissions for a wide range of commercial and public bodies in the UK and overseas.

Major publications: BRE disseminates its knowledge through seminars and a wide range of priced technical publications related to the construction process, construction materials, energy and environment, geotechnics and structures, and fire safety. They are published by Construction Research Communications Ltd. Catalogues are available from them by telephoning 0171 505 6622.

BUREAU VERITAS

British Central Office, Capital House, 42 Weston Street, London SE1 3QL

Tel: 0171 403 6266 (12 lines) Fax: 0171 403 1590 Telex: 886201 BVLOND G

Internet: http://www.bureauveritas.com

Chief Executive(UK): B May

Status: Certifying authority, classification society; third party inspection authority.

Principal functions and activities: To certify installations and their equipment in accordance with the Offshore Installations Regulations 1974 (S.I. 1974/289) and to act as an agent for the Health and Safety Executive. To provide verification services in accordance with SI 1996 913. Provides consultancy services to the oil industry, classification of ships and aircraft, and third party inspection of materials and industrial projects.

Major publications: Rules & Regulations for Ships, Aircraft, Offshore Installations, Submersibles etc. Guidance notes on a wide range of technical and non-technical subjects.

CAST METALS DEVELOPMENT LTD (BCIRA)

Alvechurch, Birmingham B48 7QB

Tel: 01527 66414 Fax: 01527 585070

Head of Environmental Services Department: A Butowski

Status: A research and consultancy company.

Principal functions and activities: Cast Metals Development Ltd is the commercial trading arm of BCIRA, leaders in the provision of research and technical assistance to the foundry industry for over 70 years. Cast Metals Development Ltd. provides research and development consultancy and technical advisory services for the metal casting industries. Its Environmental Section deals with all matters of workplace conditions and the environment, internal and external to foundries. Cast Metals Development Ltd. has a full range of sampling and analytical equipment, enabling it to measure atmospheric emissions such as dust, fumes and organic vapours and also carry out noise surveys. Analyses of mineral dusts, organic vapours and combinations of mineral and organic dusts are carried out in-house. Technical support in legal cases can be made available and advice given on cost-effective methods of improving conditions in foundries and other industries. The facilities of BCIRA, although primarily directed towards the metal castings industries, are available to provide similar services to any other industry.

Major publications: BCIRA Technology and Abstracts, a bi-monthly journal confidential to BCIRA Members covering all facets of foundry work, including environmental aspects. The Bi-monthly News gives summaries of current activities. Bibliographies, abstracts from international literature on metal castings production and conference proceedings on a wide range of foundry subjects, including environmental topics, are available for sale to non-members. Cast Metals, an international journal devoted to the science and technology of cast metals, including metallurgy, casting and applications.

CERAM RESEARCH (BCRL) (formerly British Ceramic Research Ltd.)

Queens Road, Penkull, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST4 7LQ

Tel: 01782 845431 Fax: 01782 8412331 Email: info@ceramics.co.uk

Information Contacts: L T Pimentil, A Ledwith

Chief Executive: Dr N E Sanderson Secretary: Mr R H Rowe

Status: Independent, non-profit distributing research organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Research and development; troubleshooting; consultancy; information services. Environmental monitoring of the workplace, including respirable dust, lead, organics and noise assessments, monitoring of emissions to atmosphere; environmental, COSHH and safety audits; testing of gases, soils, contaminated land, leachates, water and effluents.

Major publications: CERAM Research Progress (Members Journal); CERAM Research News; World Ceramic Abstracts; Environmental Information Bulletin.

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF BUILDING (CIOB)

Englemere, Kings Ride, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7TB

Tel: 01344 23355 Fax: 01344 23467

Chief Executive: K Banbury Secretary: B Lambe

Director of Public Relations: J Barlow Innovation & Research Manager: P Harlow:

Director of Education & Professional Services: M Brown Information Manager: Mrs K Bowyer

Secretary to the Safety, Health & Welfare Committee: K Chamberlain

Status: Independent professional construction institute, a learned society and registered charity incorporated by royal charter and mainly supported by membership funding.

Principal functions and activities: The objects of the institute are the promotion, for the public benefit, of the science and practice of building. The advancement of public education in the science and practice of building, including all necessary research, and the publication of the results of all such research. The establishment and maintenance of appropriate standards of competence and conduct of those engaged, or about to engage, in the science and practice of building. The Institute's membership provides an unequalled body of knowledge and experience of building practice, education, training and research. A great deal of the resources available are devoted to the dissemination of this knowledge in the form of codes of practice, technical meetings, conferences and seminars, technical papers and other publications for the benefit of members and others in industry. The institute also represents the building and construction industry on a very wide range of bodies concerned with the technical, environmental, health and safety, computing and information technology and building and site management matters, and also building education and practice. It offers advice to government departments and other agencies on many aspects of building.

Major publications: Construction Manager (published ten times per annum); Construction Computing, (quarterly); Campus Construction (for student members); Construction Information File (bi-monthly) consisting of: Construction Information Digests and Construction Papers. The Institute publishes books which it has commissioned on construction management and other selected subjects. The CIOB Bookshop sells its own and other publications to members and the general public.

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (CIEH) (formerly Institution of Environmental Health Officers)

Chadwick Court, 15 Hatfields, London SE1 8DJ

Tel: 0171 928 6006 Fax: 0171 827 5866

Email: eh73@dial-pipex-com Internet: http://www.cieh.org.uk/cieh/

Chief Executive: M Cooke

Information Contact for Health and Safety: I MacArthur

Research Officer: T Garrity

Status: Professional body for environmental health professionals.

Major publications: Various publications on all aspects of environmental health; housing; water pollution; food hygiene, and health and safety procedures. Also produces periodals and bulletins, e.g. Environmental Health News. All publications are available from the Publications Department at the above address.

CHARTERED INSTITUTION OF BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERS (CIBSE)

Delta House, 222 Balham High Road, London SW12 9BS

Tel: 0181 675 5211 Fax: 0181 675 5449

Email: info@cibse.org Internet:http://www.bre.co.uk/org/cibse/

Secretary: A V Ramsay Information Contact: A Poole

Status: Professional body; a nominating and authorised member of the Engineering Council.

Principal functions and activities: Organises technical conferences and courses.

Major publications: Publishes the CIBSE Guide which details the data and parameters of good building services design; applications manuals; lighting guides; technical memoranda and guidance notes, e.g.: Healthy Workplaces; Minimising the Risk of Legionnaires Disease; Legionellosis - Interpretation of HSC Approved Code of Practice; Fire Precautions.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS COMMUNICATIONS SOCIETY (CHCS)

c/o D Waight 3M United Kingdom PLC, PO Box 1, Market Place, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1JU

Tel: 01908 653658 Email: 106070.1710@compuserve.com Internet: http://chemistry.rsc.org/rsc/chcs.htm

Chairman: D Waight Membership Secretary: Ms L Pimentil

Status: Professional society

Principal functions and activities: To promote awareness of chemical hazards and to promote proper and specific training in chemical hazards identification and communication, e.g. classification, labelling, and safety data sheets for substances and preparations. To provide a forum for exchanging experiences, views and information about the hazards of chemical products. To disseminate information to members and also to other relevant bodies in the UK, and Europe, through workshops, seminars and newsletters.

Major publications: Newsletter

CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (CIA)

Kings Buildings, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JJ

Tel: 0171 834 3399 Fax: 0171 834 4469 Telex: 916672 CHEMIN G

Executive Director, Safety, Health and Environmental Policy: J D Rodger

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: Promotes co-operation within the chemical industry, negotiates with government and other bodies on problems in the economic, social, commercial, labour and technical areas affecting members. Manages the UK Responsible Care Programme - the chemical industry's voluntary initiative for improved health, safety and environmental performance.

Major publications: Fall into various categories; general; health, safety and environment; business and trade; employment affairs; and community relations. The health and safety publications highlight major issues e.g. guidelines for chemicals with major hazards; guidance on the COSHH regulations; safety, health and environmental auditing; product stewardship; management systems. A publications catalogue is available.

CHEVIOT OCCUPATIONAL STRESS MANAGEMENT

Cheviot Consultancy Ltd., Heron House, 5 Heron Square, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1EL

Tel: 0181 332 1842 Fax: 0181 332 2482 Email: 101782.744@compuserve.com

Director: Mrs J Williams

Status: Limited company

Principal functions and activities: Cheviot supports companies in the implementation of the Health and Safety Executive guidelines on stress at work. Evaluation of risk, design and implementation of stress management education and associated training, counselling for individuals.

CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY (CBI)

103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU

Tel: 0171 379 7400 Fax: 0171 240 1578

Status: Independent body under royal charter - supported by membership.

Principal functions and activities: Spokesman for British industry. Employers representative on Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS); Health and Safety Commission (HSC); UK representative on Union of Industries of the European Community (UNICE). Industry and government relations, economic policy statistics, industrial relations, wages and conditions of employment, industrial and company law, environment, health and safety policy and management, energy and natural resources policy, education and training, technology policy. European and wider international aspects of industrial policy.

Major publications: Economic Situation Report (12 issues, p.a.); Industrial Trends Survey (Full results book 4, quarterly and 8 monthly issues p.a.); Employment Affairs Report (6 issues p.a.); Distributive Trades Survey (4 quarterly and 8 monthly issues p.a.); CBI News (Monthly, free to members); various monographs; CBI Environment Newsletter (quarterly, free). Discounted prices to members.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND INFORMATION ASSOCIATION (CIRIA)

6 Storey's Gate, London SW1P 3AU

Tel: 0171 222 8891 Fax: 0171 222 1708

Email: switchboard@ciria.org.uk Internet: http://www.ciria.org.uk/ciria/

Director-General: Dr P L Bransby

Information Contact: Ms C Boardman

Status: An independent, non-profit-distributing research association. Membership is open to all organisations associated with construction and the environment.

Principal functions and activities: Research for the construction industry. The programme is biased towards best practice information, and all projects consider safety and health considerations as appropriate. There is also an active programme of projects which address specific safety issues.

Major publications: CIRIA's most recent publications are: CDM Regulations : a case study guidance for designers; Risk assessment for methane and other gases from the ground; various site guides; 12 volume series on Remedial treatment of contaminated land. Other titles include: Site safety handbook and video; Guide to the control of substances hazardous to health in construction; Engineering and health in compressed air work; Guide to safe working practices on contaminated land; Methane and associated hazards to construction : a bibliography; Medical code of practice for work in compressed air; trenching practice; Trenching - good practice (video); A guide to the safe use of chemicals in construction; A guide to reducing the exposure of construction workers to noise; Planning to reduce noise exposure in construction. Future publications will cover: Fire safety : a review of current knowledge; A guide to site safety risk assessment; Practical site management : Phase 2 - integration of the management of safety, quality and environmental impact; Engineering guide to the safety of concrete and masonry dams in the UK.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD (CITB)

Bircham Newton, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH

Tel: 01553 776677 Fax: 01553 773965

Chief Executive: E G Willmott Board Secretary: R North

Information Contact: G Eagle, ext: 2523

Status: Statutory industrial training board (established under Industrial Training Act 1964)

Principal functions and activities: Supports employers in the building and construction industry in the need to provide a highly trained workforce to appropriate standards with awareness of safety and health and personal responsibilities. Provides a wide range of safety courses covering work processes and operations for all levels of staff at four national training centres which are located at Glasgow, Birmingham, Erith and Bircham Newton, Norfolk. CITB administers various schemes for certificates of training achievement, including Construction Skills Certification Scheme and schemes for plant operators and scaffolders, which aim to set standards of good practice and make a positive contribution to the prevention of accidents and ill-health. Training is also carried out via a network of Regional and Area offices. A wide range of safety training publications cater for the new starter through to the site manager. The CITB offer training packages for both direct and in-company training, distance learning programmes, video and tape slide packages, computer based training and interactive video. All publications and visual aids are developed in accordance with current legislation, codes of practice and official guidance.

Major publications: Construction Site Safety: is a series of 47 modules in a ring binder providing practical advice and guidance in specific areas of site work. Tool Box Talks: a collection of pocket sized cards contained within a waterproof binder covers 36 subject areas, closely related to Construction Site Safety. Designed to be used by supervisors in the delivery of tool box talks on site. Safe Start: is a safety induction package containing enough material for up to twelve people starting work in building and construction, changing companies or transferring sites. You Did What?: A video based training package aimed at managers and supervisors in small to medium sized companies in the building and construction industry. It asks what managers have actually done or arranged so that their sites are safe and employees do not get injured. CDM - Getting it Right: This computer based training package is aimed at small to medium sized contractors and students studying construction. It explains which projects CDM applies to, the responsibilities of all duty holders and the documentation required under the Regulations. Health and safety publications catalogues are available free of charge from the Health and Safety Development Team at the above address, together with other information on CITB health and safety activities.

THE COUNCIL FOR REGISTERED GAS INSTALLERS (CORGI)

1 Elmwood, Chineham Business Park, Crockford Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 8WG

Tel. Reception: 01256 372200 Tel. Registration: 01256 372300 Fax: 01256 708144

Director General: G E Banks Public Affairs Officer: Mrs N Perry

Status: Company Limited by Guarantee

Principal functions and activities: Mandatory registration body for gas installing businesses in the United Kingdom.

Major publications: The Gas Installer Magazine (10 per year); the Gas Installer Manual.

EMPLOYERS' ADVISORY SERVICE ON AIDS AND HIV (EASAH)

P.O. Box HP346, Leeds LS6 1UL

Tel: 0113 2941212 Fax: 0127 452 1512

Email:EASAH@modus-op.demon.co.uk

Internet: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/modus_operandi

Contact: A Christie

Status: Private specialist consultancy

Principal functions and activities: Provides specialist consultancy and support services around HIV/Aids policies, programmes and so on, especially with regard to COSHH 1994 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Major publications: The Aids Leader - a bi-monthly newsletter covering the implications of managing people with compromised immunity, the employment, business and economic policy implications of HIV/Aids, aimed at health and safety, occupational health, personnel and HR professionals (ISSN 1356-9880) Working with Aids; A Guide for Businesses and Business People - a comprehensive guide (ISBN 1 873031 149; 240pp); The Complete HIV Manager - a series of guides on aspects of HIV/Aids issues and concerns.

ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (ECIA)

Studio B1, Clayton Park Industrial Estate, Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moore BB5 5JW

Tel: 01254 393304 Fax: 01254 393056

Head of Health and Safety: M Disney

Status: Employers' association, formed by the amalgamation of the National Engineering Construction Employers' Association and the Oil and Chemical Plant Constructor's Association.

Principal functions and activities: Principal services include practical guidance on the relevant provisions of the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) and employment law; information on local earnings levels and conditions of employment; advice on handling disciplinary matters; help with arranging and conducting procedural meetings on matters arising at site; representation at National Joint Council (NJC) disputes hearings; co-ordination of the interests of member companies working together on large multi-contractor projects; representation on project joint councils; and provision of forums for members to exchange information and ideas at local level. Also provide health and safety training, consultancy, audits.

Major publications: National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry; EEF Employment Guide; Databank of Estimating Norms; Health and Safety at Work; Safety Manual for Mechanical Plant Construction; Radiation Safety for Site Radiography; Working in High Temperatures; Guidance on Producing a Substance House Policy; Risk Assessment Forms; Dummy Run; Principles and Operations of Permits to Work

ENGINEERING EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION (EEF)

Broadway House, Tothill Street, London SW1H 9NQ

Tel: 0171 222 7777 Fax: 0171 222 2782

Head of Safety and Environment: P Reeve

Status: Employers' organisation for the engineering and other manufacturing industry.

Principal functions and activities: Thirteen regional associations covering almost 5,000 member companies of all sizes spanning the full spectrum of engineering and employing almost three quarters of a million people. The EEF and its associations offer a range of services to its members and others, and represents the industry's views on employment, health and safety and environment matters. Nationally and regionally the EEF maintains regular contact with key politicians, with the permanent officials in government departments and local authorities, with the European Commission and Parliament and with statutory bodies in employment, education, training and occupational health, safety and the environment. In health, safety and environment, it responds to consultative documents on behalf of the industry and the legislation is explained to members. There is a central Health, Safety and Environment Committee of senior operational managers backed by committees in the Associations. Through its associations - nearly all of which have experienced health and safety advisers - an extensive range of courses are available. In addition there are three management training centres located at Bristol, Leamington Spa and Barleythorpe (Leics). Practical briefing seminars are a frequent activity on current occupational health and safety topics.

Major publications: A regular bulletin, Health, Safety and Environment Newsline, is published free for members and is also available on subscription. Other publications are varied, from health and safety data sheets which explain key legislation and a practical guide to risk assessment, to a booklet on the Employment Implications of AIDS. There are several booklets for employees on Health, Safety and Environment issues. A catalogue of publications is obtainable free on request to the Customer Services Department at Broadway House.

ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS USERS ASSOCIATION (EEMUA)

14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS

Tel: 0171 235 5316/7 Fax: 0171 245 6937

Director and Secretary: R W Snudden

Status: Trade association representing the views of major users of engineering equipment and materials in the oil, process and energy industries. Formed by the amalgamation of the Oil Companies Materials Association and the Engineering Equipment Users Association in 1983.

Principal functions and activities: Represents users' views to the HSE and other government departments as well as to BSI and international standards bodies. Member companies participate in a number of EEMUA technical committees which carry out work tasks and provide a valued forum for the exchange of views and experience. The work includes the preparation of guidance notes and specifications concerning the design and use of process plant and equipment. A catalogue of these publications is available from the above address. Co-operates actively with government departments, and other bodies to influence the national and European scene and thereby benefit the engineering activities of member companies.

ERA TECHNOLOGY LTD (ERA)

Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7SA

Tel: 01372 367000 (Switchboard) Fax: 01372 377927 Telex: 264045

Information Contact: Miss N Wood. Tel: 01372 367018 (direct)

Status: Independent company limited by guarantee (essentially non-profit making)

Principal functions and activities: ERA provides a wide range of impartial and confidential technical services to government agencies and industry. These include consultancy, testing and certification, research, development and prototype production, within the fields of electrical, electronics, mechanical, structural, materials and communications engineering. Information services available cover all the above subject fields and include information on health and safety legislation, particularly with respect to European developments. Information can be provided in response to short enquiries and also in response to requests for in-depth information research. Summaries of new legislation or standards can be provided. Prices vary according to the service required: prices available on request.

Major publications: The Safety and EMC Newsletter regularly contains news on developments in legislation and market requirements related to electrotechnical products, including news of forthcoming requirements. Topics covered include electrical safety, machinery safety, health and safety (including work with visual display units, exposure to physical agents at work), electromagnetic compatibility and explosive atmospheres. Free sample issues are available on request; ERA News; Annual review.

ERGONOMICS INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTRE (EIAC)

School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT

Tel: 0121 414 4239 Fax: 0121 414 3476

Email: ERGO-ABS@bham.ac.uk

Internet: http://www.bham.ac.uk/ManMechEng/Research/ergo.htm

Director: Dr E D Megaw Manager: Ms C Stapleton

Status: Self-funding body situated within the University of Birmingham.

Principal functions and activities: The main aim of the Centre is to meet the information needs in ergonomics.

Major publications: The main output from the centre is the international journal Ergonomics Abstracts published by Taylor and Francis eight times per year. Each volume contains 5600 abstracts of journal articles, conference papers, books and reports pertinent to ergonomics and human factors. Ergonomics Abstracts is also available in CD-ROM format. The centre has a collection of bibliographies for sale. Other bibliographies can be compiled on request. The centre offers an SDI service.

ERGONOMICS SOCIETY

Devonshire House, Devonshire Square, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DW

Tel: 01509 234904 Fax: 01509 234904

Administrative Officer: J Cotton Honorary General Secretary: Dr J G Scriven

Status: Company limited by guarantee

Principal functions and activities: The Ergonomics Society is an interdisciplinary organisation of professional workers concerned with the applied science of ergonomics. The science aims to match the demands of systems, tasks, jobs, products and environments to the physical and mental characteristics and limitations of people who use them and are affected by them. It is governed by an elected council of officers and members, and is headed by a President. The society aims to promote the learning, education and application of ergonomics. The society is the focal point in the U.K. for the professional exchange of ergonomics information. Members participate in various national and international standards bodies, including BSI, ISO, and CCITT and contribute to government enquiries and reports. Members work in a number of key industries and institutions including telecommunications, electronics, computing, defence and consumer products. The society has a professional affairs board to further the professional application of the science.

Major publications: To disseminate information and promote developments in ergonomics, the Society supports scientific journals, Ergonomics; Applied Ergonomics; Work and Stress; Behaviour and Information Technology; and publishes a monthly newsletter, The Ergonomist. The Society also publishes a Register of Professional Ergonomists and a Register of Ergonomics Consultancies.

EUROPEAN PROCESS SAFETY CENTRE (EPSC)

165-189 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3HQ

Tel: 01788 534409 Fax: 01788 551542 Email: epsc@icheme.org.uk

Contact:0 B Hancock

Status: Founded by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering. Members pay a fee.

Principal functions and activities: There are four main objectives: exchange of information; research and development; legislation; education and training.

Major publications: Publications on process safety topics; Annual Report.

FABRIC CARE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION LTD (FCRA)

Forest House Laboratories, Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 7LZ

Tel: 01423 885977 Fax: 01423 880045

Managing Director: C J Tebbs Technical Director: M J Palin

Health and Safety Officer: R de Chair

Status: Independent research association supported by membership funding. Industry training organisation (ITO). NAMAS accredited testing.

Principal functions and activities: FCRA will undertake technical investigations relating to health and safety for the laundry and dry-cleaning industry, plus education and training in all aspects of the textile aftercare industries. Technical research on various health and safety related matters plus consultancy work available.

Major publications: Safety in Dry-cleaning Guidelines; Safety in Laundry Guidelines; Managing Health and Safety in Drycleaning and Laundering; FCRA Handbook and others. Contact as above for full details.

FACULTY OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE (of the Royal College of Physicians) (FOM)

6 St Andrew's Place, Regent's Park, London NW1 4LB

Tel: 0171 487 3414 Fax: 0171 935 2259 Email: 101621.262@compuserve.com

Registrar: Dr D M Miller Administrator: Miss F M Quinn

Status: Professional body.

Principal functions and activities: To advance occupational medical knowledge, to develop education and training in the speciality and to ensure the highest standards of professional competence and ethical integrity.

Major publications: Fitness for Work - The Medical Aspects [2nd edition] (Published by OUP. ISBN 0192623443 and 0192623451); Hand-transmitted vibration: Clinical Effects and Pathophysiology. Parts 1 and 2 (Published by the Royal College of Physicians. ISBN 187324051 and 87324052X); Guidance on Ethics for Occupational Physicians. 4th Edition. (Published by FOM. ISBN1873240724); Guidelines on Testing for Drugs of Abuse in the Workplace. (Published by FOM. ISBN 1873240864); A Code of Good Practice for the Operation and Staffing of Hyperbaric Chambers for Therapeutic Purposes. (Published by FOM. ISBN 1873240996); and Quality and Audit in Occupational Health (Published by FOM. ISBN 186016000X); Health Risks to the Health Care Professional (Published by the Royal College of Physicians. ISBN 1873240953).

FEDERATION FOR THE REPAIR & PROTECTION OF STRUCTURES (FeRFA)

235 Ash Road, Aldershot, Hants, GU12 4DD

Tel: 01252 342072 Fax: 01252 333901

Status: Trade organisation

Principal functions and activities: To promote and develop understanding and knowledge of the benefits of cement polymer and resin based products, their uses and applications.

Major publications: Assistance to Deal with Chips; Application Guides; and Technical Reports.

FEDERATION OF BRITISH ELECTROTECHNICAL AND ALLIED MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATIONS (BEAMA)

Westminster Tower, 3 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SL

Tel: 0171 793 3000 Fax: 0171 793 3003

Director General: J G Gaddes Company/Legal Director: A Ventrella

BEAMA

Director: G C Young Head of Public Relations/Assistant Director: M W Burkert

Status: Trade federation

Principal functions and activities: Comprises of 18 associations in the electrical/electronic sector representing approximately 500 members.

Major publications: BEAMA Bulletin; BEAMA Technical and Standard Bulletin; BEAMA Annual Report.

FEDERATION OF PLASTERING AND DRYWALL CONTRACTORS (FPDC)

18 Mansfield Street, London W1M 9FG

Tel: 0171 580 5404 Fax: 0171 635 5984

Director: G Weltch Deputy Director: Ms J Buxey

Status: Trade association

Principal functions: Represents companies involved in the plastering and drywall industry. Provides a range of information and advice services for its member companies: technical; training; employment, safety and contractual issues. Organises the Plasterers Trophy Competition which demonstrates the skill and craftsmanship available within the industry. The FPDC is a member of the National Specialist Contractors Council.

Major publications: Specifiers Guide which services as the Federation's membership directory.

FIRE EXTINGUISHING TRADES ASSOCIATION (FETA)

48a Eden Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 1EE

Tel: 0181 549 8839 Fax: 0181 547 1564

General Manager: B Gately Committee Secretary: B Hockley-Hills

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: FETA was formed in 1916 (as the Association of Liquid Chemical Fire Extinguisher Manufacturers) and comprises manufacturers and specialist distributors of fire extinguishers, portable fire-fighting equipment, hose reels and associated fittings as well as contract maintenance of portable fire extinguishers and hose reels. It has a membership of seventy major UK companies and includes an overseas division. Its main objectives are: to promote a greater use of high quality fire products and services at home and overseas by influencing the format and content of British, European and International fire codes and standards; to uphold and enhance the professionalism of the Fire Protection Industry by covering and encouraging improved standards covering products, servicing and quality management systems; to encourage good relations with Government Departments, Local Authorities and other public bodies, Insurance companies, Fire Brigades and other Trade Associations at home and abroad, in pursuance of more effective defence against fire. FETA is represented on many BSI Technical Committees and via BSI on European and International Standard Committees. FETA plays a prominent role in the work of EUROFEU (The European Association for the Manufacturers of Fire Protection Equipment and Fire Fighting Vehicles) and EURALARM (The Association of European

Manufacturers of Fire and Intruder Alarm Systems). It is a member of the Fire Industry Council (FIC), British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) and the UK Sectoral Committee for Fire Security (SCOFS). Through the FIC the Association has in place a Voluntary Agreement between the UK Government and the Fire Protection Industry on the use of HFC and PFC fire fighting agents supporting the Government's objectives of progressive reduction in emissions of potentially global warming gases. The Association conducts the BSI endorsed FETA examination for service engineers of portable fire extinguishers and hose reel maintenance. The FETA Code of Conduct is available on request from the Publications Department at the above address.

FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (FPA)

Melrose Avenue, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2BJ

Tel: 0181 207 2345 Fax: 0181 236 9701 Email: info@lpc.co.uk

Director: S Kidd Assistant Director: D Gray Head of Information Services: I Jerome

Status: Part of the Loss Prevention Council

Principal functions and activities: The Fire Protection Association is the UK's national fire safety organisation. It identifies and draws attention to fire dangers in a number of ways, providing FPA members, the general public and the business world with information and advice via: publications and visual aids; a library/information services unit; training courses; seminars and conferences.

Major publications: The FPA's principal publication is the journal Fire Prevention, published 10 times per year for FPA members. The association has a very wide range of publications (catalogue free on request), including a number of fire safety leaflets, single copies of which are free to interested parties.

FIRE RESEARCH STATION (FRS)

Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford, Herts WD2 7JR

Tel: 01923 894040 Fax: 01923 664010 Email: shawmr@bre.co.uk

Director: M Shaw

Business Development Manager: D Crowhurst

Tel: 01923 664940 Email: crowhurst@bre.co.uk

Status: The Fire Research Station is part of the Building Research Establishment, an Executive Agency of the Department of the Environment, United Kingdom.

Principal functions and activities: The Fire Research Station (FRS) conducts research (principally for government departments) into all aspects of fire to prevent loss of life and injury and to mitigate material damage due to fires. FRS also offers a complete fire technology consultancy for any client. FRS provides a comprehensive co-ordinated approach to fire safety through its accumulated knowledge of fire science and fire safety engineering. This includes fire and, where appropriate, explosion problems encountered in buildings, in all forms of transport, and offshore oil and gas production. FRS does not normally undertake standard testing of an ongoing repetitive nature although arrangements can be made to oversee this together with recommendations for additional ad-hoc investigations when wider applications are called for. Results of research are disseminated through international fire conferences and journals and in the form of books, reports and videos available for sale direct from the BRE Bookshop.

Major publications: BRE Annual Review, a wide range of scientific and technical publications including BRE digests, BRE Information Papers, BRE News of Construction Research - available on subscription or separately; also BRE books, reports, software and videos. There are also conferences and seminars. Telephone number of BRE Bookshop is 01923 664444.

FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE SAFETY AND TRAINING COUNCIL (FASTCo)

231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 7AT

Tel: 0131 314 6247/6193 Fax: 0131 316 4344

Technical Secretary: T E Radford

Status: Industry lead body and industry training organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Standards development for Vocational Qualifications (VQs) in forestry and arboriculture; publication of safety guides for forestry and arboriculture; training provision through registered instructors.

Major publications: Safety guides; Register of Instructors.

FORMECON SERVICES LIMITED

Gateway, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 6YN

Tel: 01270 500 800 Fax: 01270 500 505 Email: sales@chancellor.co.uk

Managing Director: B E Bell

Status: Specialist independent publisher

Principal functions and activities: Formecon Services Limited is the leading publisher of standardised documentation specifically designed to help employers to achieve control of occupational safety and health. Legislative requirements are researched, interpreted and unravelled to produce management control documentation which structures and simplifies the compliance attainment process for the employer. The extensive and detailed work undertaken results in professionally designed compliance systems which are clear, comprehensible, effective and affordable. Widely used throughout Great Britain, Chancellor Formecon's products provide the means for employers to address their legal obligations and provide evidence that workplace health and safety risks have been considered. Consequently, the need for professional advice and/or intervention is often minimised or eliminated. Established in 1972, the company has created a wide range of high quality forms, placards and signs, all of which are available by mail order. A full colour, illustrated product catalogue is available on request.

FURNITURE INDUSTRY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (FIRA INTERNATIONAL LTD.)

Maxwell Road, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2EW

Tel: 01438 313433 Fax: 01438 727607 Email: market@fira.telme.com

Director and Chief Executive: Dr C Gill

Status: Research and development association.

Principal functions and activities: Research, testing, design, information and business consultancy centre for furniture manufacturers, related industries and their suppliers of materials, components and equipment. Specific health and safety areas include: risk assessment, COSHH service, noise surveys, dust and solvent surveys, formaldehyde surveys, chemical analysis, machine safety, machinery assessments. Advice and recommendations on all the above topics is available on a consultancy basis together with specific training courses.

Major publications: FIRA Quarterly Bulletin.

GENERAL MUNICIPAL BOILERMAKERS AND ALLIED TRADES UNION (GMB) see GMB - Britains General Union

GMB - BRITAIN'S GENERAL UNION

22-24 Worple Road, London SW19 4DD

Tel: 0181 947 3131 Fax: 0181 944 6552

Director of Health and Environment: N Bryson

Status: Trade union

Principal functions and activities: To represent the interests of members and secure improvements in pay and conditions of service. To provide members with advice and information on all occupational health and safety matters. The GMB is one of Britain's largest trade unions, and provides a unique health and safety service with 10 regional health and safety officers in addition to the National Health and Environment Department. They publish and distribute regular information bulletins and pamphlets for safety representatives, and are available to give advice on all aspects of health and safety at work as well as carrying out workplace inspections when necessary. The union also runs a legal service to help members secure compensation for accidents and disease, and an educational service with regional courses in addition to the facilities for residential courses at their national college. In addition to its primary functions of protecting members, the GMB also campaigns on issues which affect members' interests beyond work - their families, the environment, and the public, e.g.. asbestos, pesticides, radiation. This may be carried out via the Members of Parliament sponsored by the GMB, the TUC, etc.

Major publications: In addition to the regular GMB health and safety news service covering various issues and subjects, the GMB publishes a number of leaflets, pamphlets and booklets on a wide range of health and safety issues. The main ones are: The Safety Reps' Kit; The Safety Reps' Guide to Prevention of Exposure to Asbestos; Asbestos Control; Identifying Asbestos; Don't Take The Strain - Preventing WRULDs; Stress at Work, Safety Reps' Guide to Risk Assessment; Freedom to Kill? The Case Against Deregulation.

HAEMOPHILIA SOCIETY

123 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HR

Tel: 0171 928 2020 Fax: 0171 620 1416

Email: 1007 11.1677@compuserve.com

Contact: S Marshall

Status: Charitable

Principal Functions: The Haemophilia Society represents all people with haemophilia. It provides information to those who are affected and others who wish to learn about the condition.

HASTAM (HEALTH AND SAFETY TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT LTD)

6 Holt Court North, Aston Science Park, Heneage St West, Birmingham B7 4AX

Tel: 0121 359 7548 Fax: 0121 359 0734 Email: 101540.1173@compuserv.com

Managing Director: M S Thomas

Status: Independent organisation.

Principal functions and activities: HASTAM provides products and services in environmental and health and safety management. Principal services are: health and safety consultancy and health and safety training including externally validated safety qualifications, e.g. NEBOSH Diploma; environmental consultancy; environmental training including NEBOSH; Environmental Management Diploma.

Major publications: Principal HASTAM products are audit systems which enable companies to carry out their own audits either with printed manuals or computerised modules which can be run on HASTAM's auditing software packages. There are two of these: C-CHASE - which allows users to record, analyse and display audit data in a variety of ways; CATCH - a more powerful version of C-CHASE for users with complex audit requirements. The HASTAM audit manuals include CHASE II and CHASE III for health and safety; and environment audit and BS 7750 for environment. HASTAM also publish Health, Safety and Environment Abstract, a bi-monthly current awareness publication whose aim is to provide key information to line managers.

THE HAZARDS FORUM (HF)

1 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA

Tel: 0171 665 2158 Fax: 01717 233 1806

Chairman: Professor PA Bennett Secretary: Dr IJ Lawrenson

Status: An Association supported by its membership, drawn from engineering and other institutions, companies and individuals; a registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: To provide a focus for the interdiciplinary engineering matters involved in the mitigation and reduction of hazards and disasters, both natural and man-made, and to make engineers more aware of their responsibilities to improve safety; the Forum holds regular meetings on a wide range of topics related to hazards and safety.

Publications: Newsletter (quarterly); 'Safety-related systems - guidance for engineers'; 'Safety by design - an engineer's responsibility for safety'.

HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVICE CENTRE (HASAC)

Unit 304, Argent Centre, 60 Frederick Street, Birmingham B1 3HS

Tel: 0121 236 0801 Fax: 0121 236 3629

Status: Voluntary organisation funded by local authorities with the West Midlands

Principal functions and activities: Provision of advice, information and resources on hazards at work and on similar hazards which affect the community, for workers, trade unions individuals and community groups and small businesses within and around the West Midlands. Translation and production of materials on health and safety into Asian languages.

Major publications: Leaflets on hazards/rights in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali. Perfect Crime? An indepth investigation into deaths at work and look at enforcement of regulations by the HSE and EHO's. Formed basis of a Channel 4 "Cutting Edge" special programme. Submissions to the Law Commission to call for changes in the law, to prosecute Directors, now being put forward by the Law Commission.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AGENCY [FOR NORTHERN IRELAND]

83 Ladas Drive, Belfast BT6 9FJ

Tel: 01232 243249 Fax: 01232 235383

Chief Executive: Ann Williams Information contact: W Stuart

Status: Non-departmental public body

Principal functions and activities: The Agency is a public watchdog which seeks to secure the health, safety and welfare of people at work, and protect all other people against risks to their health and safety from work-related activities. It promotes health, safety and welfare at work; provides an extensive free information and advice service; appraises all proposed regulations and monitors existing regulations and enforcing policies; carries out, and encourages others to carry out research; and encourages the provision of training in health and safety.

Major publications: The Legal Framework of Health and Safety at Work in Northern Ireland; Mind How You Go; Report that Accident; Five Steps to Risk Assessment; The Guide to Workplace Health and Safety.

HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSION (HSC)

Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS

Tel: 0171 717 6630 Fax: 0171 717 6644

Chairman: F Davies

Status: Non-departmental government body

Principal functions and activities: Established in 1974, is in practice responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment for taking appropriate steps to secure the health, safety and welfare of people at work, and to protect the public generally against risks to health and safety arising out of the work situation. Responsibility for health and safety matters moved to the Department of the Environment following the demise of the Employment Department in 1995. The Commission is responsible for legislation and codes of practice. In respect of consultation, the Commission and the HSE work closely with representatives of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), and Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the local authorities.

Major publications: HSC/E annual report, HSC Plan of Work, HSC Newsletter, Approved codes of practice. Industry Advisory Committees reports (various). Various leaflets. All listed in HSC/E List of Publications (see HSE entry).

* HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE)

Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS

Tel: 0717 717 6000 Fax: 0171 717 6717

St Hugh's House, Stanley Precinct, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QY

Tel: 0151 951 4000 Fax: 0151 922 5394

HSE Information Services, Health and Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ

Tel: 0541 545500 Fax: 0114 289 2333

Internet: http://www.open.gov.uk/hse/hsehome.htm

HSE Infoline: open Monday-Friday 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Tel: 0541 545500

Regional and Other Offices:

WALES AND WEST REGIONAL OFFICE

Covering: Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Isles of Scilly, Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan, Powys, South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, Hereford and Worcester, Shropshire, Staffordshire

Regional Office

Brunel House, Fitzalan Road, Cardiff CF2 1SH

Tel: 01222 263 000 Fax: 01222 263 120

Other Offices:

Inter City House, Mitchell Lane, Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6AN

Tel: 0117 988 6000 Fax: 0117 926 2998

The Marches House, Midway, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs ST5 1DT

Tel: 01782 602 300 Fax: 01782 602 400

HOME COUNTIES REGIONAL OFFICE

Covering: Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Wiltshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire

Regional Office:

14 Cardiff Road, Luton LU1 1PP

Tel: 01582 444 200 Fax: 01582 444 320

Other Offices:

Priestley House, Priestley Road, Basingstoke RG24 9NW

Tel: 01256 404 000 Fax: 01256 404 100

39 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0HL

Tel: 01245 706 200 Fax: 01245 706 222

LONDON AND SOUTH EAST REGIONAL OFFICE

Covering: all London Boroughs, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex

Regional Office:

1 Long Lane, Southwark, London SE1 4PG

Tel: 0171 556 2100 fax: 0171 556 2200

Other Offices:

Maritime House, 1 Linton Road, Barking, Essex IG11 8HF

Tel: 0181 235 8000 Fax: 0181 235 8001

3 East Grinstead House, London Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1RR

Tel: 01342 334 200 Fax: 01342 334 222

MIDLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE

Covering: Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire

Regional Office:

McClaren Building, 35 Dale End, Birmingham B4 7NP

Tel: 0121 607 6200 Fax: 0121 607 6349

Other Offices:

5th floor, Belgrave House, 1 Greyfriars, Northampton NN1 2LQ

Tel: 01604 738 300 Fax: 01604 738 333

The Pearson Building, 55 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham NG1 6AU

Tel: 0115 9 712 800 Fax: 0115 9 712 802

YORKSHIRE AND NORTH EAST REGIONAL OFFICE

Covering: Humberside, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear

Regional Office:

Woodside House, 261 Low Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5TW

Tel: 0113 283 4200 Fax: 258 8029

Other Offices:

Sovereign House, 110 Queen Street, Sheffield S1 2ES

Tel: 0114 291 2300 Fax: 0114 291 2379

8 St Pauls Street, Leeds LS1 2LE

Tel: 0113 283 4200 Fax: 0113 283 4296

Arden House, Regent Centre, Regent Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE3 3JN

Tel: 0191 202 6200 Fax: 0191 202 6300

NORTH WEST REGIONAL OFFICE

Covering: Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Cumbria, Lancashire

Regional Office:

The Triad, Stanley Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3PG

Tel: 0151 479 2200 Fax: 0151 479 2201

Other Offices:

Quay House, Quay Street, Manchester M3 3JB

Tel: 0161 952 8200 Fax: 0161 952 8222

Victoria House, Ormskirk Road, Preston PR1 1HH

Tel: 01772 836 200 Fax: 01772 836 222

SCOTLAND HEAD OFFICE

Covering: Borders, Central, Fife, Grampian, Highland, Lothian, Tayside, and the island areas of Orkney & Shetland, Dumfries and Galloway, Strathclyde, and the Western Isles

Regional Office:

Belford House, 59 Belford Road, Edinburgh EH4 3UE

Tel: 0131 247 2000 Fax: 0131 247 2121

Other Office:

375 West George Street, Glasgow G2 4LW

Tel: 0141 275 3000 Fax: 0141 275 3001

Director General: J Bacon

Status: Non-departmental public body.

Principal functions and activities: The Health and Safety Executive is the operating arm of the Commission. Its dual role is to exercise on behalf of the Commission such of its functions as the Commission directs and to make adequate arrangements for the enforcement of the relevant health and safety legislation under the 1974 Act.

Major publications: Wide range of reports, including research reports, guidance, test methods, reviews, leaflets. Film catalogue; Bibliographies; Autumn and Spring price lists of current publications. HSE News Bulletin Service (weekly); Toxic Substances Bulletin (issued 3 times pa). Site Safe News (2 pa free). For further information on subscriptions, contact HSE Books.

Priced publications can be ordered through HSE Books and all good bookshops, with the exception of legislation and a small number of joint publications by HSE and other government departments which will be available from the Stationery Office. Most free publications/leaflets are also available from HSE Books.

Priced publications/free leaflets: Priced publications only:

HSE Books
P.O. Box 1999
Sudbury
Suffolk CO10 6FS
Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995

Computerised information services:

1. HSELINE

HSELINE is HSE's publicly available database on three host services:

IRS-Dialtech, British Library, Science Reference and Information Service, 25 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1AW

Tel: 0171 323 7951 Fax: 0171 323 7954

Knight-Ridder, Haymarket House, 28 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4ER

Tel: 0171 930 7646 Fax: 0171 950 2581

Questel Orbit, 18 Parkshot, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2RG

Tel: 0800 2899512 Fax: 0181 332 7449

Further information from the HSE Information Services, Health and Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.

Tel: HSE Infoline 0541 545500 Fax: 0114 289 2333

2. OSH-ROM (Occupational Safety and Health Read Only Memory)

HSELINE is also available on compact disc, resulting from collaboration between HSE, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (USA), the International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre of the International Labour Organisation (General), and SilverPlatter Information Services.

Four bibliographic databases on occupational safety and health are available on a compact disc marketed by SilverPlatter as OSH-ROM. The databases are NIOSHTIC, CISDOC, HSELINE and MHIDAS (Major Hazard Incident Data Service).

The equipment required includes IBM/AT (or compatible) microcomputer with minimum 640K memory; a printer if hard copy printout is required; a CD-ROM disc drive, interface board and cables.

The annual subscription is £859 + VAT and includes updated discs issued every three months. For further details contact:

SilverPlatter Information Ltd., 10 Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick, London W4 4PH, UK

Tel: 0181 995 8242 Fax: 0181 995 5159

OR

SilverPlatter Information Inc. 303 Portero Street, 106 Santa Cruz, California 950606, USA

Tel: 408 425 74774.

3. OSH-CD (formerly OSH-UK)

OSH-CD from SilverPlatter and the Stationery Office Ltd. is a unique full text database on compact disc and contains over 80,000 pages of information. The information from OSH-CD is taken from legislation, abstracts of British Standards, and guidance and advice from the HSE. OSH-CD is essential for anyone who needs detailed information relating to health and safety. Full text information represents a valuable resource. WINSPIRS information retrieval software facilitates innovative searching; simple prompts guide users through the search functions. There is no command language to learn, and the system is user friendly. The annual subscription is £895.00 + VAT. For further information contact SilverPlatter at the address on the previous page, or alternatively contact The Stationery Office Ltd. at Electronic Publishing, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich NR3 1PD, tel: 01603 695498, fax: 01603 695317.

4. OSH-OFFSHORE

OSH-OFFSHORE was launched in 1993 and is a full text database on compact disc. It provides access to health and safety information relevant to the offshore oil and gas industries and contains the full text of all relevant legislation and guidance from HSE; Offshore Technology Reports - OTH and OTI series; Operations and Safety Notices; The Cullen Report on the Piper Alpha disaster; Transcripts of Piper Alpha Inquiry; Offshore installations: guidance on design, construction and certification (The Green Book); HSC/E journals relevant to the offshore industry.

The software system is the same as that for OSH-CD. The annual subscription is œ1,295 + VAT, and now includes a free subscription to OSH-CD. For further information contact SilverPlatter or HMSO at Norwich (see above for addresses).

HEALTH AND SAFETY TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT LTD see HASTAM

HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT, BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY (formerly Safety Unit, Birmingham University) see University of Birmingham, Health and Safety Unit

HEALTH AT WORK

Health Education Authority, 64 Burgate, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2HJ

Tel: 01227 455 564 Fax: 01227 458 741

Business Development Manager: P S Hobbs

Status: Special health authority

Principal functions and activities: Health at Work provides a comprehensive range of workplace health services and resources to employers throughout the country. Carefully researched and developed, these services are designed to raise awareness of particular health topics and encourage employees to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Major publications: Working for a Healthier Future - an employer's guide to Health at Work; Positive stress at work manual; Workplace Action Plans.

HEALTH EDUCATION AUTHORITY (HEA)

Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9TX

Tel: 0171 383 3833 Fax: 0171 413 1834

Health Promotion Information Centre Manager: Ms S Cook

Status: Special Health Authority

Principal functions and activities: To advise on priorities for health education; to advise and carry out national campaigns, and local or regional campaigns in co-operation with regional and district health authorities and local authorities; to produce information and publicity matter in support of campaigns; to undertake or sponsor research and surveys; to seek advice and to review relevant medical and other information available, to assist in the determination of priorities; to act as the national centre of expertise and knowledge in all aspects of health education; to encourage and promote training in health education work; to promote the development of health education in schools, colleges and polytechnics; to maintain contact with education work, and to aid and advise such bodies as appropriate; to publish material of interest and value to those engaged in health education. There is also a Health Promotion Information Centre (including a library) open by appointment only Mondays to Fridays 9.00 am until 5.00 pm.

Major publications: Numerous free leaflets and posters on most subjects to do with health. Health Education Journal - 4 p.a.; Healthlines - 10 p.a.; Publications Catalogue (free). The Information Centre issues a list of journal holdings; an introductory leaflet; and provides a current awareness service.

HEATING AND VENTILATING JOINT SAFETY COMMITTEE

Esca House, 34 Palace Court, London W2 4JG

Tel: 0171 229 2488 Fax: 0171 727 9268

Secretary Joint Safety Committee: J M Asprey

Status: A joint committee between employers (Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association) and union (MSF Craft Sector)

Principal functions and activities: The committee was inaugurated in 1967 to run an accident prevention campaign for operatives employed in the heating and ventilating, air-conditioning, piping and domestic engineering industry. The committee meets three times a year. It considers and comments on consultative documents issued by the HSC and other industry related organisations. Regular seminars are held throughout Great Britain on various aspects of safety affecting the industry. Guidance in the form of regular circulars, publications and films is made available to employers and employees in the industry. The Committee oversees the content of safety courses run by the HVCA, but open to anyone.

Major publications: Heating and Ventilating Safety Guide (pocket booklet, 5th ed.); Welding Safety (pocket booklet); Safety Fact Sheets 1-24; Site Safety Toolbox Talks (set of 24); COSHH Management Manuals vols I and II, Risk Management Manual.

HOSPITALITY TRAINING FOUNDATION

International House, High Street, Ealing, London W5 5DB

Tel: 0181 579 2400 Fax: 0181 840 6217

Chief Executive: D Harbourne Sales and Marketing Director: P Hickey

Research Director: Dr A Walker

Status: Training organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Lead body for the catering and hospitality industry, Industry Training Organisation, award-making body for NVQs/SVQs, research into the industry's manpower needs, careers promotion and commercial training organisation.

Major publications:; Safety in Catering, A Guide for Managers and Supervisors; The Human Factor (a video) on health and safety; Food and Drink Service - Levels 1 and 2; Other training support materials, i.e. books, videos, training packages and self-study workbooks to support workbased and college training.

HOTEL AND CATERING TRAINING COMPANY (HCTC) see Hospitality Training Foundation

INDEPENDENT SAFETY CONSULTANTS ASSOCIATION (ISCA)

ICSA, PO Box 5001, Redditch, Worc. B98 ORY

Tel: 01527 520480 Fax: 01527 529807

Chairman: W C Griffiths Secretary: Mrs C Harris

Status: Indpendent Health and Safety Companies

Principal functions and activities: ISCA was founded by a number of major companies at the leading edge of health and safety consultancy in the UK. They identified a need for a representative organisation, to set and maintain levels of professionalism and standards for the industry. Member consultants offer independent advice to the highest standards and unsurpassed levels of skill, expertise and experience. The association offers clients a "Think-Tank" capability as well as future links with European partners and vital European legislation. The Association's vision is to become the leading independent body on occupational health and safety matters in the UK representing the industry with Government Departments, The Health and Safety Executive and all other relevant bodies. Member organisations must be established as health and safety consultants for at least three years and have suitable and sufficient support services available to manage their organisations effectively. All members must carry professional indemnity insurance and be capable of undertaking client work throughout the United Kingdom.

INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS GROUP

School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

Tel: 0121 414 4233 Fax: 0121 414 3476 Email: E.D.Megaw@bham.ac.uk

Head of Ergonomics and Director of the MSc course in Work Design and Ergonomics: Dr E D Megaw

Secretary for the MSc course: S Green

Status: University establishment funded by government grants, industrial associations, individual firms and local authorities.

Principal functions and activities: The aims of the group are to teach and carry out research into all aspects of industrial ergonomics relating to the well-being and performance of people at work.

Major publications: The research of the Group is published in all the established ergonomics journals including Ergonomics, Applied Ergonomics and Human Factors as well as various conference proceedings.

INDUSTRIAL INJURIES ADVISORY COUNCIL (IIAC)

A4 6th Floor, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT

Tel: 0171 962 8066/8065 Fax: 0171 962 8004

Chairman: Professor A J Newman Taylor Secretary: R Wakely

Status: Independent statutory body which advises the Secretary of State for Social Security on matters relating to the industrial injuries scheme.

Principal functions and activities: The council consists of a chairman and fifteen members. There are an equal number of representatives of employers and employed earners as well as doctors with a particular expertise in occupational health, epidemiology, and toxicology, and experts in law and in social policy. The council has three roles: (a) to advise on the prescription of industrial diseases; (b) to advise on Regulations under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and on matters referred to it by the Secretary of State; and (c) to advise on the industrial injuries scheme itself. The major part of the council's time is spent considering whether the list of prescribed diseases for which benefit may be paid should be enlarged or amended.

Major publications: Periodic Report (1993); Reports on specific conditions and occupations, usually in the form of D.S.S. Command Papers. These are published by HMSO; a list is available from the Secretariat.

INDUSTRIAL ROPE ACCESS TRADE ASSOCIATION (IRATA)

235 Ash Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 4DD

Tel: 01252 336318/21302 Fax: 01252 333901

Internet: http://www.futurmedia.com/irata

Information Contact: J G Fairley

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: IRATA was formed as a result of an initiative by a number of leading companies involved in industrial rope access techniques. The purpose of IRATA is to ensure that work carried out by IRATA members, using industrial rope access techniques, is carried out in a safe and high quality manner. The activities of the IRATA are as follows: (a) to promote and maintain a high standard of industrial rope access activities in terms of safety and work quality; (b) to provide informed opinion and advice to Association representatives on external bodies; (c) to prepare submission to government departments e.g. Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Energy, HSE, on matters concerning health, safety, and training; (d) to assist staff working parties charged with commenting on and discussing existing and draft legislation and draft directives; (e) to indicate areas of research and development where initiation is needed to solve current problems facing the industry; (f) to assist in the provision of appropriate educational training and certification opportunities for personnel employed in industrial rope access (g) to provide a forum for the free and informal exchange of experience and opinion. IRATA now runs a national certification and training scheme for operatives in the industry. Successful technicians can now receive an ID card and log book after passing their IRATA Assessment. Members are required to abide by a code of ethics and are subject to a strict audit by qualified independent inspectors to ensure that the association's requirements of quality assurance, safety, training and working practices are being met.

Major publications: Guidelines on the Use of Rope Access Methods for Industrial Purposes; Directory of Members; General Requirements for Certification of Personnel Engaged in Industrial Rope Access Methods - this established the framework for a qualification and certification programme. In addition, it provides recommended safety and training requirements for independent IRATA approved assessment.

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY (PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT) MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION see Safety Equipment Association

INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS (IOE)

University of Nottingham, Dept. of Manufacturing Engineering and Operations Management, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD

Tel: 0115 951 4004/4041 Fax: 0115 951 4000

Email: IOE@epnl.maneng.nottingham.ac.uk

Director: Prof J R Wilson Contracts Manager: Dr C M Haslegrave

Hon. Scientific Advisor: Prof E N Corlett Information Contact: Ms L Cordiner

Status: Industrial Consultancy and Research Institute

Principal functions and activities: The Institute for Occupational Ergonomics is a multi-disciplinary research group established within the Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Operations Management, University of Nottingham. The group exists to provide an ergonomics research, training and consultancy service to industry, commerce, labour organisations and government.

Major publications: Safe Handling of Loads at Work - a Practical Ergonomic Guide; Reducing the Risks of Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders - a Guide and Method; Evaluation of Human Work; A Practical Ergonomics Methodology; The Ergonomics of Workspaces and Machines - a Design Manual.

INSTITUTE OF EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS (IExpE)

Unit 48, Centenary Business Centre, Hammond Close, Attleborough Fields, Nuneaton CV11 6RY

Tel: 01203 350846 Fax: 01203 350831

Secretary: Ms G Bonar

Status: Professional institute for explosives engineers.

Principal functions and activities: Representing the interests of members, promoting the profession of explosives engineering, and providing technical consultative facilities for government departments and other external agencies within this field.

Major publications: Journal (quarterly), Technical papers.

INSTITUTE OF LOGISTICS

Douglas House, Queens Square, Corby, Northants NN17 1PL

Tel: 01536 205500 Fax: 01536 400979

Director-General: Dr I C Canadine

The Institute of Logistics was formed in 1993 due to the merger of the Institute of Materials Management (IMM) and the Institute of Logistics and Distribution Management (ILDM). Health and safety issues, in particular legislation, as they affect the interests of the membership, are monitored by the Technical Committee.

Status: Professional institute, registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: Provision of logistics qualification training programme; conferences and seminars.

Major publications: Logistics Focus (monthly); Members' Yearbook (annual); Guide to Logistics Software (annual); European Comparative Cost Survey; Technical Guidelines; Guideline 2 : Pallet racking safety : a user's guide.

INSTITUTE OF MARINE ENGINEERS (IMarE)

The Memorial Building, 76 Mark Lane, London EC3R 7JN

Tel: 0171 481 8493 Fax: 0171 488 1854 Email: imare@imare.org.uk

Secretary: J E Sloggett

Status: Chartered engineering institution.

Principal functions and activities: Provides a forum for discussion and exchange of information through its learned society activities: conferences, technical meetings and publications. The Marine Information Centre promotes safety in all aspects of maritime engineering.

Major publications: Marine Engineers Review (monthly); Journal of Offshore Technology (quarterly); Bulletin (monthly); Transactions (bi-monthly); conference proceedings (ad hoc); technical books; Marine Technology Abstracts on CD-ROM (with British Maritime Technology Ltd).

INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS (IoM)

1 Carlton Terrace, London SW1Y 5DB

Tel: 0171 839 4071 Fax: 0171 839 1702

Secretary and Chief Executive: Dr J A Catterall (unitl 31.5.97)

Status: The professional body for all involved in the field of materials. Formed by the 1992 amalgamation of The Institute of Ceramics, The Institute of Metals, and The Plastics and Rubber Institute and the British Composites Society.

Principal functions and activities: To promote the science and study of all aspects of the science, technology and use of materials.

INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT see Institute of Logistics

INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENISTS (IOH)

Suite 2, Georgian House, Great Northern Road, Derby DE1 1LT

Tel: 01332 298087 Fax: 01332 298099

Email: 101736,1366@compuserve.com Internet: http://www.ed.ac.uk/~alfred/ioh.html

Information contact:

Status: A professional grouping of occupational hygiene practitioners.

Principal functions and activities: To promote and develop the profession of occupational hygiene; to promote and encourage the study of and teaching and training in occupational hygiene; to advance public knowledge of occupational hygiene; and to establish standards and regulate the ethical practice of occupational hygiene. Entry to the Institute is principally via the awards issued by the British Examining Board in Occupational Hygiene.

Major publications: The Directory of Occupational Hygiene Consultancies (annually); technical and scientific reports; The Occupational Hygiene Newsletter (quarterly).

INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE (IOM)

Headquarters: 8 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh EH8 9SU

Tel: 0131 667 5131 (10 lines) Fax: 0131 667 0136 Email: IOM@IOMHQ.ORG.UK

Regional Offices: Maritime Buildings, Woodlane Terrace, Maesycoed, Pontypridd CF37 1DZ

Gateshead Enterprises Agency , Gear House, Saltmeadows Road, Gateshead NE8 3AH

Business Centre, 17 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5BL

Chief Executive: Dr C A Soutar Technical Information Officer/Librarian: Ms A Boyle

Status: The IOM is an independent non-profit making organisation registered as a company, limited by guarantee and recognised as a charity. It was founded in 1969 with the assistance of the coal industry in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh with the aim of providing an independent centre of excellence applying problem-solving methods in the workplace and the environment for the benefit of those at work and in the community.

Principal functions and activities: The IOM is a multidisciplinary centre with extensive experience and expertise across all spheres of occupational and environmental medicine, health, hygiene and safety. Its research activities range from large-scale epidemiological investigations of disease relationships in industry to basic biomedical, analytical chemistry and aerosol physics studies. It also provides consultancies in health and safety policy and practice; risk assessment; occupational hygiene monitoring and control; environmental scientific services; medical and psychosocial advice on issues such as stress, sickness, absence etc; and ergonomic advice on problems such as lighting, manual handling, upper limb disorders, etc. In addition there is an active teaching and training programme, with many of the courses leading to recognised professional qualifications in occupational health and/or hygiene.

Major publications: Research reports, booklets and leaflets. List available from the Technical Information Officer.

INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM (IP)

61 New Cavendish Street, London W1M 8AR

Tel: 0171 467 7100 Fax: 0171 255 1472 Email(library): IP@petroleum.co.uk

Director General: I Ward Head of Library and Information Service: Mrs C Cosgrove

Status: Professional body, supported by membership and registered charity

Principal functions and activities: To provide scientific, technological and information services to those involved in the UK oil industry. Active committees cover health, environment, exploration, refining, marketing operations, safety, quantity measurement, test methods of petroleum products and education and training. Discussion groups cover energy economics, exploration and production, microbiology and information for energy.

Major publications: Codes of practice; Standard Method of Testing and Measurement; educational booklets; data sheets on petroleum industry statistics; research abstracts; Petroleum Review (monthly periodical).

INSTITUTE OF RADIATION PROTECTION (IRP)

64 Dalkeith Road, Harpenden, Herts AL5 5PW

Tel: 01582 715 026

Hon. Secretary: Dr J P Nicholson

Status: Independent professional body supported by membership funding and is a learned society.

Principal functions and activities: (1) to organise open scientific meetings relating to radiation protection, including the protection of the general public; (2) to comment on Government and international regulations relating to radiation hazards; (3) to organise an accreditation scheme for members wishing to be registered as competent radiation protection advisers; (4) to liaise with members of the public or other societies expressing concern about possible radiation hazards.

Major publications: A twice-yearly newsletter which includes an extensive list of recent publications on all aspects of radiation safety.

INSTITUTE OF RISK MANAGEMENT (IRM)

Lloyds Avenue House, 6 Lloyds Avenue, London EC3N 3AX

Tel: 0171 709 9808 Fax: 0171 709 0716

Chief Executive: Mrs M Gibbins Examinations Officer: Miss K Shepheard

Status: Professional educational institute, governed by a Court of Governors.

Principal functions and activities: To promote the profession of risk management, by education and by holding qualifying examinations. Success in six subjects of the examinations will lead to election as an Associate (AIRM). Success in the Associateship, completion of a dissertation together with relevant work experience may lead to election as a Fellow FIRM.

Major publications: Bi-monthly journal - INFORM. A series of text books geared to the examination are available: Risk and the Business Environment; Business Finance for Risk Management; Risk Analysis; Physical Control of Risk; Liability Exposures; Risk Financing and Corporate Risk Management. Research Paper: a Definitive Technique for Risk Assessment; Conference papers: Danger and Disease - Who's in the Dock?; The Greening of Risk Management; High Finance - Low Risk?; Maximising the Cost Benefits of Risk Management; Contingency and Disaster Planning; The Health Sector at Risk; Protecting Against Terrorism; Managing the Terrorism Risk - An update; Risk Management without Boundaries. Additional text books: Local Government: A Text for Risk Managers; Health Sector Risk Management; Insurance - Non Marine.

INSTITUTE OF SAFETY IN TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH (ISTR)

University of Southampton, Safety Office, 44 University Road, Highfield, Southampton, Hants SO17 1BJ

Tel: 01703 592829 Fax: 01703 593952

Email: mdb@soton.ac.uk Internet: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/istr/

Honorary Secretary: M Booker

Status: Professional organisation.

Principal functions and activities: 1. To further the interest of the safety profession within the areas of membership of the Institute; 2. The advancement of safety knowledge among its members; 3. The maintenance of the professional standards of its members; 4. The preservation and enhancement of its members' status, including representation upon bodies of influence considered beneficial to the members of the institute.

Major publications: Year Book (for members); information for prospective members.

INSTITUTE OF TRADING STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION (ITSA)

3/5 Hadleigh Business Centre, 351 London Road, Hadleigh, Essex SS7 2BT

Tel: 01702 559922 Fax: 01702 551161

Secretary: A J Street

Status: Professional body supported by membership subscription and commercial activities.

Principal functions and activities: ITSA represents the views of its professional officers in promoting fair trading for the consumer and trade to their mutual benefit. Limited access to Information Centre for enforcement officers on subscription basis.

Major publications: The Trading Standards Review is a monthly publication containing articles, advertisements and a recruitment section relevant to the trading standards service. It is sent to all members of the institute and outside subscribers.

INSTITUTE OF UNIVERSITY SAFETY OFFICERS see Institute of Safety in Technology and Research

INSTITUTE OF WASTES MANAGEMENT (IWM)

9 Saxon Court, St Peter's Gardens, Northampton NN1 1SX

Tel: 01604 20426 Fax: 01604 21339

Technical Secretary: C J Murphy Press and Public Affairs: T Hirons

Status: Professional body supported by membership, a learned society, and a registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: The Institute of Wastes Management (IWM) is the leading, professional body, representing all sectors of the industry. It is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in all activities concerned with the control of waste and protection of the environment. It is a national organisation with strong international links and a comprehensive network of regional centres covering the entire UK. The institute also provides a range of training courses for people employed within the industry and is also the main body for devising graduate and post-graduate educational courses for those wishing to make a career in wastes management.

Major publications: Wastes Management (monthly), has an international circulation and reports the latest news, views and best practices and innovation. A quarterly proceedings document and various technical documents reflect the state of the art in sectors of the industry.

INSTITUTION OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS (IChemE)

Davis Building, 165-171 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3HQ

Tel: 01788 578214 Fax: 01788 560833 Email: Andy@icheme.demon.co.uk

Chief Executive and Secretary: Dr T J Evans

Status: Independent body supported by membership and is a learned society and registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: To promote international safety and loss prevention in the chemical and process industries through symposia, courses and meetings. Principal committees comprise Safety, Health and Environment Policy Committee, Loss Prevention Panel, Major Hazards Assessment Panel and the International Process Safety Group. Provides links between the Health and Safety Commission, industry, universities, and specific safety organisations throughout the world. Specific interest in safety training. Also provides the Secretariat for the European Process Safety Centre.

Major publications: Loss Prevention Bulletin (bi-monthly) available on subscription; slide training modules (including hazards of over-pressuring and under-pressuring of vessels, hazards of plant modifications, fires and explosions, preparation for maintenance, human error, work permit systems); video/slide training packages (including: preventing emergencies in the process industries; Hazop and Hazan - notes on the identification and assessment of hazards; cheaper, safer plants - notes on inherently safer and simpler plants; dust explosions and chemical reaction hazards). In addition there are publications on specific safety topics and IChemE Symposium Series.

INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS (IEE)

Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL

Tel: 0171 240 1871 Fax: 0171 240 7735 Telex: 261176 IEELDN-G

Email: postmaster@iee.org.uk

Secretary & Chief Executive: Dr J C Williams

Status: Independent body supported by a world wide membership of over 130,000 members. It is a learned society and registered charity, in amalgamation with the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, and the Institution of Manufacturing Engineers.

Principal functions and activities: As a qualifying body, the IEE admits to corporate membership persons whose academic attainment, professional training, and responsible experience mark them as worthy of recognition as chartered electrical engineers. As a learned society, the IEE holds over 1000 meetings and over 100 conferences each year. As a regulating body, it sets standards for the professional conduct of its members. As a technical authority, it issues regulations for the safe installation of electrical and electronic equipment and takes a leading part in the formulation of national and international standards. The IEE has a Health and Safety Committee (contact: tel: 0171 344 8424, Fax: 0171 497 2143) which links with organisations such as the Health and Safety Commission. The IEE acts as the voice of professional electrical engineers in matters of public concern.

Major publications: BS 7671 : 1992 Requirements for Electrical Installations (with BSI); Regulations for the Electrical and Electronic Equipment of Ships; Recommendations for the Electrical and Electronic Equipment of Mobile and Fixed Offshore Installations; Software in Safety-Related Systems; 21 journal titles; and numerous books and other monographs.

INSTITUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS (IEHO) see Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)

INSTITUTION OF FIRE ENGINEERS (IFE)

148 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7QB

Tel: 0116 2553654 Fax: 0116 2471231

General Secretary: D W Evans

Status: Professional organisation.

Principal functions and activities: To promote, encourage and improve the science and practice of fire extinction, fire prevention and fire engineering and all operations and expedients connected therewith, and to give an impulse to ideas likely to be useful in connection with or in relation to such science and practice to the members of the Institution and to the community at large. It is now widely recognised as the only professional organisation which provides for fire engineers public recognition of their qualifications. Due to its wide acceptance it has become a major influence both nationally and internationally in the sphere of fire engineering. Branches and groups are active throughout the world and offer to the membership the opportunity of extending their contacts and knowledge, whilst also making a greater contribution to the profession.

Major publications: Variety of priced books on fire investigation; fire protection; fire technology.

INSTITUTION OF GAS ENGINEERS

21 Portland Place, London W1N 3AF

Tel: 0171 6366603 Fax: 0171 6366602

Secretary: Mrs S M Raine

Status: Independent professional engineering institution, incorporated by royal charter, supported by membership funding, a learned society and registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: To represent the interests of professional gas engineers and to register same with the Engineering Council. Within criteria set down and agreed with the Engineering Council to set and monitor entrance and other standards of education and training for practising gas engineers and others. To provide through meetings, courses and publications continuing education for the membership and others in the gas industry. The preparation of "Recommendations and Procedures" of good engineering practice covering all sectors of gas engineering, for the benefit of members and others, through a comprehensive structure of technical committees and drafting sub-committees. Focus for the discussion on all new and existing gas engineering practices. The Institution is currently working with Ofgas to produce and publish industry guidance in support of moves toward competitive gas metering. Similarly the Institution is working with the HSE to produce and publish necessary additional guidance in support of the new Gas Act and accompanying new legislation. The Institution is actively participating in and monitoring the preparation of harmonised European standards and EU Directives and liaises with other agencies and kindred bodies such as the British Standards Institution.

INSTITUTION OF LIGHTING ENGINEERS (ILE)

Lennox House, 9 Lawford Road, Rugby CV21 2DZ

Tel: 01788 576492 Fax: 01788 540145 Email: ile@dial.pipex.com

Chief Executive: R G Frost Technical Manager: P J Spearing

Status: Professional institution.

Principal functions and activities: The promotion, encouragement and improvement of the science and art of efficient lighting.

Major publications: Lighting Journal (six issues per annum) and various technical reports including: Code of Practice for Electrical Safety in Public Lighting Operations; Code of Practice for Use of Lasers and other Decorative Lighting in Public Places; and High Mast Lighting.

INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (IMechE)

1 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ

Tel: 0171 222 7899 Fax: 0171 222 4557 Telex: 917944 IMELDN G

Email: enquiries@imeche.org.uk

Director General: Dr R A Pike

Status: Professional body supported by membership, learned society and registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: IMechE is involved in the education, training and professional development of engineers, and acts as an international centre for encouraging research and technology transfer in mechanical engineering. The institution consists of chartered mechanical engineers, together with engineers aspiring to that level of competence, and others from associated professions. IMechE is among the world's foremost professional development centres in the field of mechanical engineering, and is continuously improving its services and products to meet the needs of its members. The institution has some 78,000 members, including 11,000 overseas. Local services are provided by regional branches and industrial centres.

Major publications: Mechanical Engineering Publications Ltd (MEP) publishes the conference, seminar and journal material of IMechE. The journals include Professional Engineering (fortnightly); and Automotive Engineer 10 per year. MEP is also the exclusive European agent for the publications of ASME International.

INSTITUTION OF MINING AND METALLURGY (IMM)

44 Portland Place, London W1N 4BR

Tel: 0171 580 3802 Fax: 0171 436 5388

Secretary: M J Jones

Status: Professional/learned society.

Principal functions and activities: Registration of members, publication of journals and books, organisation of conferences and maintenance of library/information services.

Major publications: Minerals Industry International; Transactions - A: Mining Industry, B: Applied Earth Science, C: Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy; IMM Abstracts.

INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (IOSH)

The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1NN

Tel: 0116 257 1399 Fax: 0116 2571451

Internet:http://www.iosh.co.uk

Chief Executive: J Barrell Communications Manager: Ms C Brookes

Professional Affairs Manager: Ms H Harvey Membership Registrar: N Walton

Status: Independent body for over 15,600 health and safety practitioners.

Principal functions and activities: The leading UK professional body for individual occupational safety and health practitioners, IOSH promotes and sustains the cause of safety and health at work through training, courses, conferences and publications. The Institution provides members with an information service, including access to technical databases, and a monthly journal, The Safety and Health Practitioner. Practitioners maintain levels of competence by participating in IOSH's Continuing Professional Development scheme. Specialist courses focus on areas such as stress, human error, and risk assessments for manual handling, display screen equipment, noise hazards, business driving, and working with electricity. Aimed at non-safety expert management and staff, IOSH's safety awareness courses Managing Safely and Working Safely train personnel from all commercial and industrial sectors in an understanding of health and safety.

Major publications: Safety at Work, by J Ridley; Principles of Health and Safety at Work, by A St John Holt; International Edition of Principles of Health and Safety at Work, by A St John Holt; Display Screen Equipment and Health, by E K Foy; Safe to Enter : Working in Confined Spaces, by W A Sampson and C Buck.

INSTITUTION OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS (IStructE)

11 Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1X 8BH

Tel: 0171 235 4535 Fax: 0171 235 4294 Email: instructe.ion@mail.bogo.co.uk

Chief Executive and Secretary: Dr J W Dougill

Status: Professional Institution supported by membership, a learned society and registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter.

Principal functions and activities: In its dual role as a qualifying body and learned society the institution seeks to promote excellence in the theory and practice of structural engineering world-wide. This it achieves through: a rigorous test of design competence for admission to chartered membership, a full educational programme of continuing professional development, a programme of meetings, conferences and symposia on technical developments, a number of awards for technical achievement, publication twice monthly of a technical journal, and the publication of technical reports prepared by ad hoc committees of members. The Institution, in conjunction with the Institution of Civil Engineers, has established the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) to maintain a continuing review of building and civil engineering matters affecting the safety of structures. In each of these areas of activity health and safety aspects play an important part.

Major publications: Surveys and Inspections of Buildings and Similar Structures; Achievement of Structural Adequacy in Buildings; Aims of Structural Design; Appraisal of Sports Grounds; Appraisal of Existing Structures; Good Management Practices for Engineering Design Offices; Subsidence of Low-Rise Buildings; Temporary Demountable Structures - guidance on procurement, design and use; Aspects of Cladding; Expert Evidence; The Structural Engineer's Response to Explosion Damage. The operation and maintenance of bridge access gantries and runways.

INSULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING AGENCY (IETA) see Thermal Insulation Contractors Association

INTERNATIONAL CARGO HANDLING CO-ORDINATION ASSOCIATION (ICHCA)

71 Bondway, London SW8 1SH

Tel: 0171 793 1022 Fax: 0171 820 1703

Email: ichca.org.uk Internet: http://www.ichca.org.uk

Chief Executive: P Wigginton

Status: Trade association

Principal functions and activities: ICHCA is a membership organisation dedicated to the promotion of efficiency and economy in the handling and transportation of goods by all modes, at all stages of the transport chain and in all regions of the world. The association has access to panels of experts on the widest range of cargo handling related topics, and consults and liaises at the highest national and international levels with intergovernment, regulatory and industry bodies. ICHCA's principal activities include a technical enquiry and cargo handling information services; production of safety briefing

pamphlets and other technical publications; production of in-house publications for ICHCA members; international biennial conference; regional conferences and specialist seminars.

Major publications: International Bulk Journal; Safety Panel Briefing (eight pamphlets); Cargo Today.

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RISK AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT (IIRSM)

National Safety Centre, Chancellor's Road, London W6 9RS

Tel: 0181 741 1231 Fax: 0181 741 4555 Telex: 8813288 Safety G

Email: iirsm@mail.britishsafetycouncil.co.uk Internet: http://www.britishsafetycouncil.co.uk/iirsm

Chairman: J Bennett Secretary: Ms J Silvester

Status: Professional body supported by membership. Registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: To promote the study of and research into accident prevention and occupational health in industry, to publish the results of such research and disseminate the knowledge gained. To obtain from and exchange information with bodies in the United Kingdom and abroad with similar objectives. To secure co-operation between persons in the United Kingdom and abroad towards adopting and increasing the use of measures for the promotion of health and safety precautions and methods for the prevention of accidents. To encourage the study of proposed legislation and promote legislation concerning occupational health and the prevention of accidents in industry. To encourage any person entering the profession to undertake training and gain professional qualifications. Membership, at various grades, is open to all individuals who have an interest in occupational health, safety and risk management. The institute organises seminars, workshops and events. Members receive two monthly magazines and have free access to legal advice and health and safety information.

Major publications Magazines: Safety Manager's Newsletter (monthly); Safety Management (British Safety Council Journal) (monthly). Books: Safety Management, by Tony Corfield.

SEE ALSO National Examination Board in Risk, Occupational Safety and Health

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO)

4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR

Tel: 0171 735 7611 Fax: 0171 587 3210

Information Officer: R Kohn

Status: Specialised agency of the United Nations

Principal functions and activities: Adopts conventions, codes and recommendations dealing with maritime and offshore safety, pollution prevention and related matters. IMO has 153 Member States.

Major publications: IMO News (quarterly free magazine), together with texts of conventions and other instruments adopted under IMO's auspices.

INTERNATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION (IOHA)

c/o Suite 2, Georgian House, Great Northern Road, Derby DE1 1LT

Tel: 01332 298101 Fax: 01332 292099

Email: 101736,1176@compuserve.com Internet: http://www.ed.ac.uk/~robin/ioha.html

Status: International association

Principal functions and activities: To promote and develop occupational hygiene throughout the world; to promote the exchange of occupational hygiene information among organisations and individuals; to encourage the further development of occupational hygiene at a professional level; to maintain and promote a high standard of ethical practice in occupational hygiene.

INTERNATIONAL STRESS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (UK) (ISMA)

South Bank University LPSS, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA

General Secretary: R Farrall, 204 Shoebury Road, Thorpe Bay, Essex SS1 3RQ

Tel/Fax: 01702 584025

Status: Registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: ISMA (UK) is the professional association for people whose work centres on stress management. It exists for the spread of sound knowledge, the maintenance of quality and to resource its members. The means it uses are: professional networking; promotion of excellence in training and a code of ethics for best practice; the validation of trainers; mounting conferences at local, national and international levels; providing a framework to link those who need and those who provide stress management services. The association is working to establish stress management as a distinct profession. Its ethos encompasses all four elements of good stress management practice: attention to the body, the mind, the feelings and the spirit.

INTERPAVE, THE PRECAST CONCRETE PAVING AND KERB ASSOCIATION

60 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB

Tel: 0116 253 6161 Fax: 0116 251 4568

Secretary: C J Budge

Status: A product association of the British Precast Concrete Federation Limited.

JOINT INDUSTRY BOARD FOR THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING INDUSTRY (JIB)

Kingswood House, 47-51 Sidcup Hill, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6HP

Tel: 0181 302 0031 Fax: 0181 309 1103

Chief Executive: J M Pollard Secretary: R S Allender

Secretary to the Health and Safety Advisory Committee: G C Blinch

Status: Unincorporated organisation

Principal functions and activities: Regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry.

Major publications: JIB Handbook incorporating national working rules and industrial determinations; Code of Good Practice Health and Safety at Work; Safety Bulletins; JIB Safety Representatives Handbook; Annual Survey of Accidents at Work.

KNITTING, DYEING AND LACE INDUSTRIES JOINT HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

c/o National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades, 94/96 Broadway, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 OAA

Tel: 0161 624 9749 Fax: 0161 627 2651 Email: kfat@mcri.poptel.org.uk

Secretary: J Firth

Status: Non-profit making organisation funded by member workers and member companies.

Principal functions and activities: Regular meetings to examine current health and safety problems and formulate recommendations.

Major publications: Health and safety manual which incorporates the committee's recommendations.

LAWYERS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

The Law Society, 50 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1SX

Tel: 0171 405 9075

Administrator: Ms E Redgrave

Status: Formed by The Law Society in 1994.

Principal functions and activities: Provides a free referral service to a participating solicitor who will offer a free first interview to help people in business with a legal check-up and identify hidden difficulties and take action to prevent future risks.

THE LIFT AND ESCALATOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (LEIA)

(A merger of the British Lift Association and the National Association of Lift Makers)

33/34 Devonshire Street, London W1N 1RF

Tel: 0171 935 3013 Fax: 0171 935 3321

Director:D M Fazakerley

Safety and Training Manager:T C Potter

Status:Trade association

Principle functions and activities:To represent the interests of manufacturers and maintainers dealing in lifts, escalators, passenger conveyors and/or equipment. Promotion of education and training, including matters related to health and safety, with committees of experts acting on the association's behalf. Study by distance learning funded by an educational trust set up exclusively for the promotion of education and training in the lift industry.

LIFTING EQUIPMENT ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION (LEEA)

Waggoners Court, The Street, Manuden, Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM23 1DW

Tel: 01279 816504 Fax: 01279 816524

Director: D Bailes

Status: Trade association.

Principal functions and activities: Participates in all standards committees relevant to lifting equipment; participates in working parties dealing with legislation and guidance; authors and publishers of a comprehensive code of practice for the safe use of lifting equipment. Sets examinations for testers and examiners of lifting equipment and provide training courses. Runs a registration scheme for competent persons in the industry. Participates in the National Certification Scheme for In-Service Inspection Bodies (NCSIIB).

Major publications: The Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment, 4th revised edition 1994, includes 9 new sections. Update available from edition 3. Leaflet available free of charge upon request.

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS ASSOCIATION (LPGA) (LP Gas Association)

Alma House, Alma Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0AZ

Tel: 01737 224700 Fax: 01737 241116

Director General: T Fidell

Status: Technical association.

Principal functions and activities: The LP Gas Association seeks to provide the voice of the LP Gas Industry in the UK and to support its membership through the promotion of the benefits of LPG and of safe operations and standards throughout the industry.

Major publications: Around 30 Codes of Practice on liquefied petroleum gas have been published, which cover the safe storage, handling and use of the gas. A list of publications and prices can be obtained upon request.

LLOYD'S REGISTER (LR)

71 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BS

Tel: 0171 709 9166 Fax: 0171 488 4796

Status: Independent classification, technical inspection and advisory organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Founded in 1760, Lloyd's Register is the world's premier ship classification society and a leading independent safety, quality and environmental inspection and advisory organisation, from more than 260 offices worldwide and served by more than 3,900 technical and administrative staff. Nearly a quarter of the world's merchant fleet is classed by LR in accordance with its own rules for the construction and maintenance of ships, and it provides a wide range of services for land-based industries including safety technology and environmental and quality assurance. In the offshore sector LR provides certification and classification for all types of fixed steel and concrete platforms, pipelines, floating production systems and underwater manifolds; and of mobile units including semi-submersibles, jack-ups, drill ships, buoys and loading arms, driving systems, submersible and remotely operated vehicles.

Major publications: Quarterly journal "100A1"; technical papers and monographs; brochures on specialist services; Rules for construction and operation of ships, offshore and land-based industrial structures; Register of Ships; Shipwreck Index.

LONDON HAZARDS CENTRE LIMITED

Interchange Studios, Dalby Street, London NW5 3NQ

Tel: 0171 267 3387 Email: lonhaz@gn.apc.org lonhaz@mrcl.poptel.org.uk

Status: Voluntary organisation, main funding is from the London Boroughs Grant Scheme, to which all London boroughs contribute.

Principal functions and activities: Provision of advice, information and training on health and safety hazards to workplace and community groups, in London.

Major publications: The Daily Hazard (quarterly newsletter); books and factsheets on particular topics, e.g. stress; VDU hazards; repetitive strain injuries; legionnaires disease; sick building syndrome; European health and safety law; and asbestos.

LOSS PREVENTION COUNCIL (LPC)

Melrose Avenue, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2BJ

Tel: 0181 207 2345 Fax: 0181 207 6305 Email: info@lpc.co.uk

Technical Manager: Dr J Denney Manager, Technical Development: Dr J Hodge

Status: The Loss Prevention Council (LPC) is a leading international authority on loss prevention and control.

Principal functions and activities: Supported by the Association of British Insurers and Lloyd's, it aims to protect people and property through improving loss prevention practice and by addressing the scientific, technical and environmental factors which contribute to risk. The LPC seeks to raise the level of understanding and awareness of the issues involved in loss and loss prevention and provides services in the fields of fire, security, health and safety, construction and the environment. LPC produces a wide range of publications on these issues. LPC's scientists and engineers are experts in their fields and manage projects in broad support of the insurance industry. Projects are conducted either in-house or sponsored at universities and other institutions. Current projects include work on the epidemiology of occupational diseases, the application of risk assessment techniques to environmental issues and the development of standards for industrial process risk control. LPC co-ordinates the development and publication of insurers' standards on building construction and fire safety.

LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY br> CENTRE FOR HAZARD AND RISK MANAGEMENT (CHaRM) (Part of Loughborough University Business School)

CHaRM, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics LE11 3TU

Tel: 01509 222174 Fax: 01509 223991 Email: K.Westlake@lut.ac.uk

Director: Professor S Cox Secretary: Ms S Edwards

Contacts: Ms D Walker, Dr D Wenham

Status: University establishment, partly self-financing partly university funded.

Principal functions and activities: Teaching mainly post-graduate/post-experience safety managers to MSc, university diploma level, together with a variety of short courses for industry, commerce and the public sector. The centre also undertakes original research in the field of hazard and risk management. Research is focused in three main subject areas: health and safety management; security management and waste and environmental management.

Major publications: Publications and findings of research and study work carried out by the group are generally reported in appropriate journals.

MANUFACTURING SCIENCE FINANCE (MSF)

Health and Safety Office, MSF Centre, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1U 8BB

Tel: 0171 505 3285 Fax: 0171 505 3282

Status: Independent trade union.

Principal functions and activities: To provide MSF members with information and advice on all occupational health and safety matters. To represent interests of members in joint regulation through the Health and Safety Commission structures.

Major publications: Health and safety information series and special reports.

MARINE TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE LTD (MTD)

19 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6EF

Tel: 0171 321 0674 Fax: 0171 930 4323

Chief Executive: D G A McKenzie Technology Transfer Contact: J A T Grant

Secretary: Ms A Bowen

Status: UK-based international research association supported by membership, registered as a charity, and limited by guarantee

Principal functions and activities: To promote, develop and advance, in the national interest, research, training and information dissemination in marine technology, including all aspects of engineering, science and technology, relating to the exploitation of the sea.

Major publications: Numerous individual titles concerned with diving, electrical safety underwater, and structural matters.

MARINE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT UNIT (MaTSU)

Building D5, Culham, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 3DB

Tel: 01235 463731 Fax: 01235 464207

Secretary: Miss H Turner Head: Dr R Taylor

Status: Government agency

Principal functions and activities: The Marine Technology Support Unit (MaTSU) provides R&D project management, technical support and information dissemination services to the HSE's Offshore Safety Division.

Major publications: MaTSU acts on Offshore Safety Division's behalf in managing the publication of Offshore Research Focus (a bi-monthly digest of recent R&D projects), the Offshore Project Handbook which summarises the current and recently completed R&D projects. MaTSU also runs, on behalf of Offshore Safety Division, the UK end of INFOIL-SESAME database, which is a joint Norwegian-EEC database containing information on offshore technology R&D projects.

MECHANICAL AND METAL TRADES CONFEDERATION (METCOM)

Carlyle House, 235 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ

Tel: 0171 233 7011 Fax: 0171 828 0667

Director: B Whitaker

Status: Registered confederation of trade associations.

Principal functions and activities: METCOM co-ordinates the interests of some 35 trade associations covering around 4,500 companies in the mechanical engineering, metal working and related sectors. It disseminates to member associations, as appropriate, information it receives from a variety of sources and combines the resources of its Member Associations in responding to such information where necessary. It co-ordinates representations on topics of concern to its member associations to the UK Government and EC administration. METCOM provides representation in Europe through its membership of a pan-Europe organisation (Orgalime) comprising 23 mechanical and electrotechnical trade associations from 15 West European countries. METCOM also provides a wide range of training services through its wholly owned training centres at various locations in Great Britain as well as providing consultancy and legal services to its members.

Major publications: Newsletters, statistics, technical literature, trend surveys.

MINING ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (MAUK)

6 St James's Square, London SW1Y 4LD

Tel: 0171 753 2117 Fax: 0171 930 3249

Secretary: G C Lloyd-Davis

Chairman of Health and Safety Committee and contact for technical matters: Dr J V Bramley, Laporte Minerals, Cavendish Mill, Stoney Middleton, Nr Sheffield S30 1TH. Tel: 01433 630966, fax: 01433 631826

Status: Trade association.

Principal functions and activities: The Mining Association was established to promote the interests of the mining and minerals industry and the companies engaged in that industry throughout the world. In health and safety matters the association has a committee which meets with HM Chief Inspector of Mines to review proposed changes in health and safety legislation in the UK.

Major publications: Annual Report.

MONDUS OPERANDI CONSULTING

PO Box HP346, Leeds LS6 1UL

Tel: 0113 294 1212 Fax: 0113 294 1313

Email: modus@modus-op.demon.co.uk

Internet: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/modus_operandi

Contact: A Christie

Status: Specialists private consultants health, corporate procedure and policy.

Principal functions and activities: Providing specialist consultancy and support with regard to biological agents and COSHH 1994, especially with regard to tuberculosis (TB), airborne pathogens, "human substance containers" and inconsistencies with other legislation and management responsibility areas. Risk assessment guidance; information provision; training preparation and provision; background briefings for legal officers.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS (NAAC)

Huts Corner, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6SF

Tel: 01428 605360 Fax: 01428 606531

Chief Executive: T Murphy

Status: Trade organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Representation of members' interests, advice, training, services to members.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIFT MAKERS (NALM)

See the Lift and Escalator Industry Association

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RADIATOR SPECIALISTS (NARS) Federated to the RMIF

9 North Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2AB

Tel: 01788 576465 Fax: 01788 547361

Director: J M Bowers Secretary: Miss M Malin

Status: Professional trade association supported by membership both at home and overseas.

Principal functions and activities: To provide a central organisation for automotive radiator manufacturers, repairers and allied suppliers to advance their interests, to secure for them a recognised status in motor trade circles and to determine upon such measures as may be considered desirable to foster and promote greater business efficiency, health and safety at work and profit opportunities. The NARS sits on the Joint Working Group for health and safety in the automotive radiator repair and remanufacturing industry and has published many guidance documents.

Major publications: Lead - What You Should Know and Do; Repair of Fuel Tanks; Paint Spraying; and Chemicals Used in the Industry. Available to non-members - price on application. House Magazine: Engine and Repair (published quarterly); Members' Directory (updated annually).

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCAFFOLDING CONTRACTORS (NASC)

18 Mansfield Street, London W1M 9FG

Tel: 0171 580 5404 Fax: 0171 636 5984

Director: G Weltch Deputy Director: Ms J Buxey

Status: Trade association

Principal functions: Provides a range of information and advice services for its member companies including: technical; training; employment; safety and contractual issues. Accepts membership of companies which have been trading for a minimum of two years, are registered with the Construction Industry Training Board and possess a comprehensive and up-to-date safety policy. The NASC is a member of the National Specialist Contractor Council.

Major publications: Membership Directory; the Users' Guide to Safe Access Scaffolding; a range of technical and safety guidance notes and a technical handbook.

NATIONAL ASTHMA CAMPAIGN

Providence House, Providence Place, London N1 0NT

Tel: 0171 226 2260 Fax: 0171 704 0740

Helpline: 01345 01 02 03 (9.00 am - 9.00 pm, Monday-Friday)

Chief Executive: Ms M Letts

Status: Registered charity; company limited by guarantee; wholly independent.

Principal functions and activities: The National Asthma Campaign is the independent UK charity working to conquer asthma in partnership with people with asthma and all who share their concern, through a combination of research, education and support.

Major publications: A wide range of leaflets and factsheets on asthma and related allergy, individual copies available free of charge to members of the public. Asthma News (quarterly); Asthma Journal (quarterly for health professionals); A for Asthma (quarterly); Annual Report.

NATIONAL BACK PAIN ASSOCIATION (NBPA)

The Old Office Block, Elmtree Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8ST

Tel: 0181 977 5474 Fax: 0181 943 5318

Executive Director: G Thomas PR/Press Officer: Ms N Montague

Status: Medical charity.

Principal functions and activities: To fund patient-oriented scientific research into the causes and treatment of back pain; to educate people to use their bodies sensibly and thus reduce the incidence of back pain; to help form and support branches through which sufferers and those who care for them may receive information, advice and mutual help.

Major publications: The Guide for the Handling of Patients; Manual Handling - an Ergonomic Approach; The Carer's Guide to Moving and Handling Patients; Back awareness posters; Advisory leaflets and fact sheets for back sufferers.

NATIONAL BRITANNIA

Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly, Mid Glamorgan CF83 3ED

Tel: 012222 852000 Fax: 01222 867738

Email: ENQUIRIES@NATIONAL-BRITANNIA.CO.UK

Internet: http://www.NATIONAL-BRITANNIA.CO.UK

Information Services Manager: D Draper

Status: Service and consultancy organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Responseline - health, safety and environmental information; Hascheck - a total response to health and safety; Pest Prevention, fly control, bird control, fly screens; Procheck - food safety advice; Water Tank Safety; Safety Eyebolts.

Major publications: Responseline News.

NATIONAL CHEMICAL EMERGENCY CENTRE (NCEC)

AEA Technology Plc. F6 Culham, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 3DB

Tel: 01235 463060 Fax: 01235 463070 Email: ncec@aeat.co.uk

Manager: D S King Product Manager: Ms G Lyons

Status: A section of AEA Technology's National Environmental Technology Centre.

Principal functions and activities: To provide a 24-hour emergency response advice service to the public emergency services as part of the nationwide CHEMSAFE scheme. The NCEC also runs an Agency service on behalf of subscribing chemical companies and chemical transporters helping them to fulfil their legislative obligations. It also provides consultancy services and help in complying with aspects of transport and health and safety legislation pertaining to chemical substances. The centre produces and markets 5 computer systems to provide information on chemical substances: CHEMDATA - an emergency response system providing information on chemicals for accident situations; TREMCARD - producing multi-language versions of instructions in writing required in the cab of a vehicle carrying dangerous substances; HAZDATA - a hazard and risk assessment aid also designed to keep associated records; DATASHEET+ - a multi-language, safety datasheet generator; LABEL ADVISOR - an expert system to advise on "CHIP" labelling requirements.

Major publications: Home Office Hazchem List; CEFIC Tremcard Reference editions; Guide to selecting Tremcards.

NATIONAL EXAMINATION BOARD IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NEBOSH)

NEBOSH House, The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershiire LE18 1PP

Tel: 0116 288 8858 Fax: 0116 288 1398

Chairman: P W Hughs Chief Executive: M D Shuttleworth

Status: Examination Board

Principal functions and activities: NEBOSH - the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health - is an independent examining body which was formed in 1979. The Board includes representatives elected by the Council of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, and education and training providers. The Department for Education and Employment and the Health and Safety Executive nominate independent members to the Board. NEBOSH has established itself as the authoritative national examining body in occupational safety and health, and its examinations are regularly taken by candidates in the UK and beyond. The current system of vocational qualifications has been developed to meet the safety and health training needs of industry, commerce and municipal and public services in the 1990s. NEBOSH qualifications include the National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health for full-time safety and health professionals, and the National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health for managers, supervisors and other non-specialists involved part-time in occupational safety and health. A Specialist Diploma in Environmental Management was introduced in 1993. A specialist NEBOSH certificate is available for safety and health specialists in the construction industry. For full details, please write or telephone for a NEBOSH information pack.

NATIONAL EXAMINATION BOARD IN RISK, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NEBROSH)

International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, National Safety Centre, Chancellors Road, London W6 9RS

Tel: 0181 741 1231 Fax: 0181 741 4555 Telex: 8813288 Safety G

Chairman: J Jarrett Information Contact: Ms J Silvester

Status: Examination Board of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, a registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: Examination Board for the British Safety Council Diploma in Safety Management (DipSM) and Certificate in Safety Management (CSM). Examinations are held in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Aberdeen and Glasgow.

Major publications: Course syllabus and examination time-table available upon request.

SEE ALSO International Institute of Risk and Safety Management

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MASTER STEEPLEJACKS AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR ENGINEERS (NFMSLCE)

4D St Mary's Place, The Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1PH

Tel: 0115 955 8818 Fax: 0115 941 2238

Secretary: R Wollerton

Status: Represents companies engaged in the steeplejack and lightning conductor engineering industry. Partners with U.C.A.T.T. form a National Joint Council for the industry.

Principal functions and activities: Aims to ensure high standards of health and safety, both for management and operatives, through a comprehensive programme of training and qualification; to protect others who may be affected by their operations; to maintain a high standard of professional conduct and ensure members comply with current regulations; to represent to clients a hallmark of quality and efficiency; to protect and promote common interests and to encourage co-operation among members; to provide information, training and advice together with Planning Supervisor Services under the C.D.M. Regulations; to secure equitable forms of contract with clients and to discourage unfair and unsafe working practices; to liaise and co-operate with other employers' associations having similar objectives to those of the Federation. Through the Steeplejack Industry Training Group Association the Federation organises training courses for apprentice steeplejacks and lightning conductor engineers, leading to compulsory N.V.Q. accreditation for promotion and management (specific) training. The National Joint Council of the Federation monitors the compulsory Registration Scheme (administered by C.I.T.B.) for all its members' operatives. Non-Federation member companies may register their co-operatives on the Scheme as a means of proving competence. Federation members play an active part in the work of the British Standards Institution and having an ongoing working relationship with the Health and Safety Executive.

Major publications: A comprehensive range of Codes of Practice developed with the assistance of the Health and Safety Executive covering: Specific Risk Assessment; Bosun's Seats; Steeplejack Laddering; Method Statements and Inspection Reporting Systems; Ropes and Knots; Working on Tall Structures (including emissions); Lightning Conductor and Earthing Installing and other pertinent matters.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PAINTING AND DECORATING CONTRACTORS (NFPDC)

18 Mansfield Street, London W1M 9FG

Tel: 0171 580 5404 Fax: 0171 636 5984

Director: G Weltch Deputy Director: Ms J Buxley

Status: Trade association

Principal functions: Provides a range of information and advice services for its member companies including technical; training; employment; safety and contractual issues. Organises the Painting and Decorating Trophy Competition which demonstrates the skill and craftsmanship available within the industry. The NFPDC is a member of the National Specialist Contractors Council.

Major publications: Yearbook and Directory of Members; the Painting Supervisor's Manual; Health and Safety in Painting.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF ROOFING CONTRACTORS LTD (NFRC)

24 Weymouth Street, London W1N 4LX

Tel: 0171 436 0387 Fax: 0171 637 5215 Email: 106137.643@compuserve.com

Contact: C C Sproul

Status: Independent Trade Organisation

Principal functions and activities: The NFRC is the largest UK association of roofing contracting companies. There are more than 600 companies registered as trade members of the seven regional associations. There are nearly 100 associate members who represent the major roofing material manufacturers, their merchants, importers and suppliers together with several supporting companies who supply insurance, equipment & testing services to trade members. Within the key activities of the members are the Technical and Health and Safety Committees manned by delegates from each regional association and by the key manufacturers of roofing products. These committees which meet on a regular basis produce Technical Bulletins, Advice Notes and Information Sheets which are designed to provide assistance to members and to be available for purchase by others. Such documents covering materials, applications and regulations take Health and Safety as a key item since all members recognise the hazards inherent in the Roofing Industry.

NATIONAL GRP FEDERATION (NAF)

18 Mansfield Street, London W1M 9FG

Tel: 0171 580 5404 Fax: 0171 636 5984

Director: G Weltch

Status: Trade association for firms engaged in the glass reinforced plastics industry.

Principal functions: Aims to set high standards for the GRP industry, to promote the use of GRP in construction and to provide information and technical advice for architects and specifiers. The NGF is a member of the National Specialist Contractors Council.

Major publications: Guidance notes are avaialble on the following topics: Design Guide for Tolerance in GRP Cladding; Storage, Handling and Protection of Fire Retardant GRP Cladding Panels.

NATIONAL INSPECTION COUNCIL FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONTRACTING (NICEIC)

Vintage House, 37 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UJ

Tel: 0171 582 7746 Fax: 0171 820 0831

Director General: D L Johnston

Status: An independent non-profit making organisation, registered as a charity, established to protect consumers against unsafe and unsound electrical installations. The council comprises 78 bodies drawn from the electrical engineering industry and a wide range of related professional and consumer interests.

Principal functions and activities: The NICEIC acts as the electrical installation industry's voluntary regulatory body on electrical safety matters. It maintains a Roll of over 10,500 Approved Contractors and Conforming Bodies who undertake to work to the current edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations and related British Standard codes of practice. All Approved Contractors and Conforming Bodies are inspected annually to ensure that standards are maintained. The Council operates a Complaints Procedure and Guarantee of Standards Scheme and is represented on the IEE Wiring Regulations Committee and relevant BSI and other standard making committees.

Major publications: Roll of Approved Electrical Installation Contractors and Conforming Bodies; quarterly NICEIC Newsletter; Snags and Solutions; a range of electrical safety certificates and forms.

NATIONAL MASTER TILE FIXERS ASSOCIATION

39 Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3QY

Tel: 0181 663 0946 Fax: 0181 663 0949 Email: tiles@dial.pipex.com

Secretary: L Reid

Status: Trade Association

Principal functions: Represents wall and floor tiling contractors in the United Kingdom. Its aims are to ensure the highest standard of quality in ceramic tiling, to provide technical advice, to ensure high standards of training and health and safety and to ensure members are kept fully up-to-date on all title related matters.

Major publications: Code of Safe Working Practice - available to members only.

NATIONAL RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION BOARD (NRPB)

Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ

Tel: 01235 831600 Fax: 01235 833891 Email: nrpb@mcimail.com

Director: Professor R H Clarke Secretary: M C O'Riordan

Status: The National Radiological Protection Board is an independent statutory body established under the Radiological Protection Action 1970 to be a national point of authoritative reference in radiological protection.

Principal functions and activities: The Board's duties and responsibilities are to advance knowledge about the protection from radiation hazards by means of research and otherwise, and provide information and advice to those with responsibility for protection in the United Kingdom. These duties include: advising government departments and statutory bodies on the acceptability of standards proposed by international bodies, and on their application; specifying emergency reference levels of dose used in deciding on the need for action to protect the public following accidents, and non-ionising radiations as well as ionising radiations. The Board is also empowered to provide and charge for services related to radiological protection.

Major publications: Documents of the NRPB, Technical Reports and Memoranda, Software packages, Radiological Protection Bulletin, At-a-Glance Series, Radiation at Work Series.

NATIONAL SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS COUNCIL (NSCC)

18 Mansfield Street, London, W1M 9FG

Tel: 0171 580 5404 Fax: 0171 636 5984

Director: G Weltch

Status: Umbrella organisation created for the purpose of representing the interests of trade associations within the specialist and trade sector of the construction industry.

Principal functions: Provides an advisory service in the areas of: legal and contractual matters; industrial relations; health and safety; taxation and VAT problems. Represents 21 trade associations and is a member of the Construction Liaison Group.

NORTH WEST SAFETY

20 Abbot Walk, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 1JE

Tel:/Fax: 01200 443768

Information Manager: Ms L Pimperton

Status: Consultancy and training organisation

Principal functions and activities: Provision of Consultancy and training services including development of health and safety management systems, risk assessment programmes and auditing packages.

Major publications: Bibliography of essential health and safety publications.

NORWICH UNION RISK SERVICES (NURS) (formerly Ajax Health and Safety Services)

Friars Gate, Stratford Road, Solihull, Midlands, B90 4BN

Tel: 0121 695 2000 Fax: 0121 695 2001

Director: Mr C E Hall

Status: A wholly owned subsidiary of Norwich Union.

Principal functions and activities:A major provider of risk management services throughout the UK. A full-time national team of qualified practioners undertake a variety of assignments on behalf of clients in the field of health, safety and environmental risks.
Services can be tailored to meet clients needs as part of a comprehensive risk management programme focusing essentially on the key areas of:Training: Professional NEBOSH qualifications, Management briefings, technical updates and employee awareness.Consultancy: Policy formulation, risk assessments, annual audits and reviews. Information: Risk Helpline, regular bulletins and factsheets.

OCB GERMANISCHER LLOYD (OCBGL) (formerly Offshore Certification Bureau)

61 Southwark Street, London SE1 1SA

Tel: 0171 620 0802 Fax: 0171 261 9497 Email: 100634.345@Compuserve.com

Chief Executive: P J Budgen Contact: Mrs R M Watts

Status: A certifying authority, appointed by the Secretary of State

Principal functions and activities: Within the concept of certification, the issuance of certificates of fitness for offshore installations in UK and Dutch waters following the satisfactory independent assessment of design, the method of construction and a major survey of the installation and its equipment. OCB.GL. also provide verification, legislation compliance, ship classification (through Germanischer Lloyd), risk management, safety and reliability and quality assurance services world-wide. OCB.GL is a co-federation of consultancy, companies with specialist capability covering a wide range of marine, offshore and associated advanced technologies including: concrete technology corrosion protection, electrical engineering, environmental science, mechanical engineering, fire science, naval architecture, pipeline engineering and testing and inspection services including welding technology.

Major publications: OILRIG - (Offshore Industries Legislation Regulations Information and Guidance), PLANTRIG the onshore equivalent and WHITEHEAD - (Offshore safety law and practice). The full text of OILRIG, PLANTRIG AND WHITHEAD, the companion offshore legislative guide, and related guidance are in electronic WINDOWS format, together with rapid search and retrieval software. The text has been "legally audited" to ensure that the information is current and the fast text retrieval enables the user to query the information and produce quick results. The software enables the user to add their own notes and links to the information thereby making it an interactive working tool.

OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISEASES ASSOCIATION (OEDA) formerly the Society for the Prevention of Asbestosis and Industrial Diseases

Mitre House, 66 Abbey Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 2QH

Tel: 0181 360 8490

Chair of Management Committee: Ms A Clarke

Status: Registered charity

Principal functions and activities: Information on occupational risks; information on asbestos; advice on DSS industrial benefits and claims for compensation; and information on the electron microscope.

Major publications: Asbestos Kills; Chronological Bibliography; Statistics; Asbestos and Dockers; Problems arising from the Use of Asbestos in Buildings; Asbestos Cement - the Current Situation; Asbestos Cement Roofing; Asthma solvents; OEDA Newsletter; Asbestos contamination caused by fires; a selection of leaflets covering industrial benefit and compensation claims; asbestos in the environment.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LEAD BODY (OHSLB) (formerly Occupational Safety and Health Lead Body (OSHLB)

The Secretariat, c/o HSE, 8th floor, South Wing, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS

Tel: 0171 717 6406/6920 Fax: 0171 717 6417 Telex: 21543

Secretary: Mrs G Cawley

Status: Independent lead body

Principal functions and activities: The OHSLB was set up in 1990 to develop vocational qualifications for occupational health and safety practitioners, who include safety officers/advisers/managers, occupational hygienists, HSE and local authority inspectors, radiation protection specialists, occupational health nurses, and occupational health physicians. It has a membership comprising representatives from the Health and Safety Executive, Confederation of British Industry, Trades Union Congress, local authorities and the Employment Department. Representatives from the National Council for Vocational Qualifications and Scottish Vocational Education Council attend as advisers. The work of the OHSLB (and of the other lead bodies) in preparing competence-based vocational qualifications arose from the Government White Paper "Employment for the 1990s" and is sponsored by the Employment Department. The White Paper refers to "the need to establish a system of employer-led organisations to identify and establish standards and secure recognition of them, sector by sector, or occupational group." Lead bodies

are developing vocational qualifications for specific industrial sectors (such as chemicals, construction etc.) or for cross-sectoral occupations such as management and business administration. Standards for Occupational Health and Safety Practice, levels 3 and 4, were published in August 1995 and are available from HSE Books. The associated National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications were published in August 1995. Standards for regulators and enforcing authorities were published in September 1996.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING UNIT (UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH ENTERPRISE LIMITED)

Ravelin House, Museum Road, Portsmouth PO1 2QQ

Tel: 01705 864954 Fax: 01705 843461

Project Director: Dr P Randall Project & Marketing Administrator: Ms V White

Project Support Administrator: Ms J Antcliffe

Status: Commercial unit within University of Portsmouth.

Principal functions and activities: Production and publication of occupational health and safety open learning material aimed at safety professionals and those aspiring to become safety professionals.

Major publications: Specialist material to work towards NEBOSH and BEBOH qualifications, and video training packages.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION GROUP (OSHIG)

c/o Mrs Judith Deschamps, 35 Medusa Rd, London SE6 4JW

Tel: 0181 690 5016

E-mail:

OFFSHORE CERTIFICATION BUREAU (OCB) see OCB Germanischer Lloyd

OFFSHORE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY TRAINING ORGANISATION LIMITED (OPITO)

Inchbraoch House, South Quay, Ferryden, Montrose DD10 9SL

Tel: 01674 662500 Fax: 01674 662530

Chief Executive: J Ramsey Manager Training Standards: T Brighton

Status: Private company, limited by guarantee, with charitable status.

Principal functions and activities: Develops and provides quality assured vocational and training standards with particular emphasis on safety for the international offshore petroleum industry. Accredits training courses which fully meet such standards. Provides training on UK offshore regulations and legislation.

Major publications: Approved Training Standards Firefighting and Survival; Approved Training Standards Offshore Standby Vessel Crew Training; Accredited Courses - list of training establishments; Helicopter Fuelling Handbook; Helicopter Landing Officers' Handbook.

OIL AND CHEMICAL PLANT CONSTRUCTORS' ASSOCIATION (OCPCA) see Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA)

PAINT RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (PRA)

8 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8LD

Tel: 0181 977 4427 Fax: 0181 943 4705

Email: j.bernie@pra.org.uk Internet: http://www.pra.org.uk

Managing Director: J A Bernie

Status: Independent body, funded by member subscriptions and commercial activities.

Principal functions and activities: To undertake research and to provide analysis, testing, consultancy services and advice to all bodies concerned with the manufacture, application and use of coatings. Publications available on subscription.

Major publications: Coatings Regulations and the Environment (CORE) (monthly); World Surface Coatings Abstracts (monthly) also available for computerised on-line searching; Environmental Protection Act Part 1 - A simple guide (1992); Coatings Alert (quarterly) available as part of membership of the Euro-Coatings Club; Eurofile 1 - EC Legislation on Health and Safety in the Environment (1990); Paint Titles (weekly); SHE Alert (monthly); Comprehensive coverage of all EU legislation.

PETANS LIMITED

OFSTC Bullocks Hill, Horsham St Faith, Norwich, Norfolk NR10 3HT

Tel: 01603 891255 Fax: 01603 890827

Status: Safety training for offshore

Principal functions and activities: Training courses approved by the Validations Department of the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation, in Montrose. PETANS is a limited company run by a council of management representing the oil industry. Courses are held to meet the needs of the oil industry. Primarily 4 day combined offshore survival and fire fighting; 4 day offshore basic fire fighting courses, plus refreshers and offshore installation manager's courses, helicopter training, etc.

PLASTICS AND RUBBER INSTITUTE see Institute of Materials

PORTS' SAFETY ORGANISATION (PSO (TECHNICAL SERVICES) LTD))

Room 220, Africa House, 64-78 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AH

Tel: 0171 242 3538 Fax: 0171 404 6806

Health and Safety Adviser: M Compton

Status: Currently 121 members, operators, labour and supply companies, containerbases and training companies from Britain and Ireland plus International ports and companies working with the ports (affiliates).

Principal functions and activities: Liaise with government health and safety enforcement agencies and represent, inform, consult and assist members as necessary on health and safety matters; Organise the six monthly National Health and Safety Committee and the meetings of the Accident Prevention Officer's group three times per year; Collate accident statistics for the industry annually; Develop interpretations of new or revised legislation with the relevant government departments where it appears necessary from a compliance point of view; offer a short term consultancy service to members on a wide variety of health and safety matters; Organise appropriate seminars, courses, conferences, workshops on relevant health and safety matters when there appears to be a need (i.e. courses on IMDG code; newly appointed accident prevention officers; safety representatives; enforcement officers; explosives security officers).

Major publications: Health and Safety Newsletter every two months to keep members up to date with events, accident statistics, accident prevention and enforcement experience (available to members only free of charge; and on subscription to non-members; leaflets on the Docks Regulations; booklets and guidance leaflets on relevant health and safety matters as appear necessary. An International Health and Safety Newsletter is published for international affiliated members.

PRECAST FLOORING FEDERATION (PFF)

60 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB

Secretary: C J Budge

Status: A product association of the British Precast Concrete Federation Limited

PROFESSIONAL DIVERS' SECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL STAFFS (AMPS). PART OF THE AMALGAMATED ENGINEERING AND ELECTRICAL UNION.

Parkgates, Bury New Road, Manchester M25 OJW

Tel: 0161 773 8621 Fax: 0161 798 6182

Director: A Casey Contact: M Cocks, Flat 2, 32 Kensington Park Gardens, London W11 2QS (Tel: 0171 727 8208)

Status: Registered Trade Union

Principal functions: The Divers' section looks after the interests of commercial divers, working anywhere in the world. It has campaigned successfully for the HSE to devote more of their resources to on-shore diving. It plays an active role in helping divers and their families in any court cases.

PUBLIC CONCERN AT WORK

42 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EN

Tel: 0171 404 6609 Fax: 0171 404 6576 Email: whistle@pcaw.demon.co.uk

Director: G Dehn

Status: Legal advice centre/charity

Principal functions and activities: Provision of free legal services to individuals concerned about serious malpractice in the workplace; research and educational work on public and corporate governance; consultancy, conciliation and training services to organisations.

Major publications: Case studies from the advice service and numerous research papers on deterring malpractice and improving governance and safety; free posters and leaflets; Raising concerns at work; The need to speak up. Public Concern at Work also publish other reports. For a current list please Email the above address.

RAIL INDUSTRY FIRE ASSOCIATION (RIFA)

2nd Floor, Fitzroy House, 355 Euston Road, London, NW1 3AG.

Tel: 0171 830 5786 Fax: 0171 830 5789

Secretary: A Peberday

Principal functions and activities: To promote quality fire safety standards and procedures within the rail industry; to co-ordinate the application of fire safety with other health and safety measures to achieve a unified safety approach; to promote fire safety by liaison within regulators, legislations, manufacturers and suppliers, to encourage the scrutiny of information relevant to standards, products and technical data and to encourage the professional development of members in fire safety.

RAPRA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR

Tel: 01939 250383 Fax: 01939 251118 Internet: http://www.rapra.net

Marketing Services Controller: R P B Walton

Status: Consultancy

Principal functions and activities: RAPRA is the UK's largest consultancy specialising in rubber and plastics. Its activities relating to health and safety include monitoring services for factory atmospheres, analytical investigations into the possibility of tainting of food by polymeric packaging, fire testing of both materials and products, slip resistance testing of floors and floor coverings, the provision of advice on ventilation systems, and research into the reduction or elimination of fumes during rubber processing. Its library contains the world's most comprehensive collection of data on the rubber and plastics industry, including information on hazards associated with materials, additives, machinery and products and related regulations and legislation.

Major publications: Clearing the Air; A Guide to Controlling Dust and Fume Hazards; Noise in the Plastics Processing Industry; Environews (bi-monthly); Guide to Applying for Authorisation under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 - Part 1 Rubber Processes; Health and Safety sections are included in RAPRA Abstracts (monthly) and RAPRA News (quarterly).

REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION (RSI Association)

Chapel House, 152-156 High Street, Yiewsley, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7BE

Tel: 01895 431134 Fax: 01895 431134

Director: P Kilbride

Status: Voluntary/charitable (registered).

Principal functions and activities: To relieve sickness, hardship and distress amongst the inhabitants of the UK suffering from any of the disabilities known collectively as repetitive strain injury.

Major publications: Information pack £3.95 including postage and packing; Newsletter (quarterly).

ROBENS INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (ROBENS INSTITUTE)

University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 5XH.

Tel: 01483 259203 Fax: 01483 503517 Telex: 859331

Head of Institute: Prof D A Stubbs

Head of Ergonomics: Dr P W Buckle

Director of Occupational Health Service: Dr L Hawkins

Head of Division of Environmental Health: Dr S Pedley

Head of Analytical Centre: Dr D Stevenson

Status: Independent, non-profit-making organisation.

Principal functions and activities: To provide fundamental and applied research centred on the assessment and reduction of risks from physical, chemical and microbiological hazards in the workplace and environment; to undertake investigation and provide independent advice and practical solutions concerned with the prevention of ill health due to: toxic effects of chemical substances, industrial injuries and water quality. To carry out chemical, physical and microbiological analyses of workplace and environmental hazards. To provide training and education to meet the needs of industry and commerce for those with particular involvement with health and safety.

Major publications: Prospectus; Scientific papers; data sheets on specific activities; brochures on training and education courses; environmental services; publications list, Annual Report.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (RCN)

20 Cavendish Square, London W1M 0AB

Tel: 0171 409 3333 Fax: 0171 355 1379

Director of Labour Relations: P Gray Senior Labour Relations Officer: Mrs S Brewer

Status: A trade union, professional organisation, Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Charity. Incorporated by royal charter.

Departments or sections: Royal College of Nursing Institute, Library of Nursing; Labour Relations Department, Legal Services Department; Department of Nursing Policy and Practice.

Principal functions and activities: The promotion of high standards of nursing care, the better education and training of nurses and the advancement of the profession and of the interests of members of the profession. Provides post-basic education for nurses and is the certificate awarding body for the OHN Certificate. Runs Work Injured Nurses Group (WING) for nurses who have suffered illness or injury in the course of their work.

Major publications: Annual Report; Nursing Bibliography (monthly); Nursing Standard (weekly journal); Safety Representatives' Manual; various publications on nursing including research; Safety Representatives Newsletter (quarterly).

ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. SOCIETY OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING (RCN)

20 Cavendish Square, London W1M 0AB

Tel: 0171 409 3333 Fax: 0171 495 6104

The Adviser (Occupational Health)/ Chairperson Society of Occupational Health Nursing:

Status: Professional organisation and trade union

Principal functions and activities: To provide a corporate identity for occupational health nurses who are members of the RCN. To provide an opportunity for members to meet, both locally and nationally, in order to increase knowledge, share information and enhance their skills. To provide information on occupational health nursing - practice, management and education and policy development, both within and outside the organisation. To advise government agencies, employers and other organisations on the development of occupational health nursing services. To liaise with other organisations in the health and safety field. To organise a major professional conference annually and professional meetings. To award a limited number of bursaries and scholarships to successful applicants.

Major publications: The RCN publishes guides on occupational health nursing services, and issues advice on salaries and conditions of service and job evaluation of occupational health nursing.

THE ROYAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND (REHIS)

3 Manor Place, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 225 6999 Internet: http://www.ed.ac.uk/~tbell/rehis.html

Information Contact: J Frater

Status: Professional institute

Principal functions and activities: Awarding body for qualifications in health and safety.

Major publications: Annual Report and congress papers; Magazine

ROYAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HYGIENE (RIPHH)

28 Portland Place, London W1N 4DE

Tel: 0171 580 2731 Fax: 0171 580 6157

Secretary: R A Smith Information Officer: P Bartlett

Status: Registered charity and voluntary organisation

Principal functions and activities: To raise standards of public health and hygiene. This is achieved through: a) Education - a wide variety of hygiene related examinations are set, controlled and moderated by the Royal Institute. Principal subject areas are food hygiene, salon hygiene, anatomical pathology technology and community care; short courses and symposia for health professionals in occupational medicine, nourishing elderly people in residential care, food safety, environmental problems and other topical issues; (b) Certification - this scheme is designed to encourage higher standards of hygienic quality in products (e.g. cleaning agents), services and systems which are scientifically tested and awarded a certificate if the original quality is maintained. Training materials designed to teach hygienic subjects are also assessed by experts and, if they meet the Royal Institute's standards, are awarded a certificate. Registers of RIPHH certificated products and training materials are available free of charge from the Royal Institute; (c) Membership - open to all those working in occupations in which health, safety and hygiene are important considerations.

Major publications: Health and Hygiene (quarterly journal); A Supervisor's Handbook of Food Hygiene and Safety; Tutor guides and course handbooks in food hygiene and safety; A Handbook of Mortuary Practice and Safety. Further details from the Royal Institute.

ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS (RoSPA) - OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DIVISION

Head Office (for membership and all other enquiries excluding training):

Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham B5 7ST

Tel: 0121 248 2000 Fax: 0121 248 2001

Training Centres:

22 Summer Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 7UT

Tel: 0121 706 8121 Fax: 0121 765 4295

Slateford House, Lanark Road, Edinburgh EH14 1TL

Tel: 0131 444 1155 Fax: 0131 443 9442

Status: Registered charity.

Principal functions and activities: Experts in occupational safety and health, preventing accidents through publicity, campaigning and lobbying, advice, information and training. Suppliers of posters, books, leaflets, journals, videos, signs, etc. Extensive library and advisory service (free to members). Annual exhibition, congress and awards. Comprehensive training programme, courses carried out in-centre and in-company. Tailor-made courses and consultancy, including auditing. Driver training. Other RoSPA divisions include road safety; home safety; water safety and safety education.

Major publications: OS&H - Occupational safety and health (monthly); RoSPA Bulletin (monthly); Safety Express (bi-monthly).

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY (RSC)

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1V 0BN

Tel: 0171 437 8656 Fax: 0171 734 1227 Email: HAZELLR@rsc.org

Status: Learned society and the professional qualifying body for chemists in the United Kingdom and publisher of chemical information.

Principal functions and activities: In addition to many other activities the society provides advice and information on chemical aspects of health, safety and environmental matters by means of symposia, publications, and computer based information services. Activities are organised by various specialist subject groups and by the Environment, Health and Safety Committee. Submissions are made to government and other bodies on proposals for new legislation. The society operates a Link Scheme whereby members are linked with individual members of Parliament. This scheme allows for a two-way flow of views and information on health, safety and environmental matters. The society has undertaken a number of studies on behalf of the Commission of the European Communities. These include reviews of the toxicities of a number of commonly used solvents, a booklet on long-term neurotoxic effects of paint solvents and a simple guide to waste management.

Major publications: The Dictionary of Substances and their Effects (DOSE), a compilation of environmental and mammalian toxicity data on over 4,000 chemicals is now available on CD-ROM and in 7 print volumes. Three abstract publications on health and safety - Chemical Hazards in Industry, Laboratory Hazards Bulletin and Hazards in the Office; these are available on-line as a combined file Chemical Safety NewsBase through Orbit, Data-Star, STN International, and DIALOG. The information is also available in the CD-ROM KR OnDisc Environmental Chemistry, Health and Safety. Other publications include the proceedings of symposia and meetings; the Guide to Safety Practices in Chemical Laboratories; booklets on COSHH in Laboratories, and Guidance on Laboratory Fume Cupboards; and the book Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory. Also available is a set of 5 volumes of chemical safety data sheets covering about 500 chemicals. There are discounted prices for members. Information on prices etc. can be obtained by contacting the Sales and Promotion Department on 01223 420006 (Fax: 01233 423429, Email: Sales@rsc.org).

ROYAL SOCIETY OF HEALTH (RSH)

38A St George's Drive, London SW1V 4BH

Tel: 0171 630 0121 Fax: 0171 976 6847 Email: rsh@cygnet.co.uk.

Chief Executive: A Byrne Company Secretary: G King

Education and Examinations Manager: Mrs G Edward

Status: Charitable Company.

Principal functions and activities: Awarding body for qualifications in public health and safety, and hygiene. The Society produces the syllabus and examinations for a Certificate in Health and Safety and a Diploma in Health and Safety Management.

Major publications: The Society is also a membership body and publishes a bi-monthly journal for members and subscribing organisations. Several conferences per year are held throughout the UK on health and health related matters.

SAFETY ASSESSMENT FEDERATION LIMITED (SAFed)

Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street, Butlers Wharf, London SE1 2NY

Tel: 0171 403 0987 Fax: 0171 403 0137

Chief Executive: Dr T Posner

Status: Trade Association

Principal functions and activities: The Safety Assessment Federation - SAFed - was established in 1995 to supersede three former organisations; the Associated Offices Technical Committee (AOTC), the Independent Engineering Insurers Committee (IEIC) and the Council of Independent Inspecting Authorities (CIIA); its role is to represent the interests of companies engaged in independent inspection and safety assessment of engineering and manufacturing plant, systems and machinery. Between them the SAFed member companies (of which there are currently seven) employ some 2,500 engineer surveyors and detect as many as 100,000 serious defects per annum. This represents a potential benefit to the economy of £900 million measured as avoidable loss of business and compensation for damage and injury. SAFed is a member of the Confédration Européenne d'Organismes de Contrôl (CEOC) - the pan-European trade association for the sector - and a founder member of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). SAFed is actively engaged in the development of Standards, both through the British Standards Institution (BSi) and through the European Standards-making body CEN, provides input on a national and a European level to the development of legislation that has a bearing on its activities and is contributing to the development of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) for engineer surveyors. A number of technical guidance documents, co-ordinating the best practices of the industry, are in preparation and scheduled for publication in late 1996/early 1997. The SAFed Type Approval Service - STAS - has also been established to provide third party approval of novel, safety-critical equipment for which no recognised Standards have yet been formulated.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION (formerly Industrial Safety (Protective Equipment) Manufacturers Association)

Sir John Lyon House, 5 High Timber Street, Upper Thames Street, London EC4V 3PA

Tel: 0171 329 0950 Fax: 0171 329 4218

Status: Voluntary association of companies which make or distribute, wholly or in part, personal safety equipment.

Principal functions and activities: Presents safety industry's views to government departments and agencies, connected with BSI committees, and various ISO, CEN committees.

SAFETY UNIT, BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY see Health and Safety Unit, Birmingham University

SCOTTISH TRADES UNION CONGRESS (STUC)

16 Woodlands Terrace, Glasgow G3 6DF

Tel: 0141 332 4946 Fax: 0141 332 4649

Status: Scottish centre of the trade union movement.

Principal functions and activities: The improvement of wages and working conditions for all trade union members. The STUC runs training on all aspects of health and safety from basic legislation provision to specialist problems affecting specific industries. These courses are partially funded by the Scottish Office Education Department and the European Community. The STUC co-operates with specialist bodies, such as Clydeside Action on Asbestos, and universities to provide specialist training and advice to trade union safety representatives.

SHEFFIELD AND ROTHERHAM ASBESTOS GROUP (SARAG)

Mudford's Building, 37 Exchange Street, Sheffield S2 5TR

Tel: 0114 279 7283

Secretary: M Firth Chairman: M Birch Support Group: Ms N Brent

Status: Voluntary group

Principal functions and activities: To campaign for the abolition of asbestos usage; to become a source of information and advice; to have a support group for victims and their families; to gather and collate information on exposures to asbestos and collect witness statements.

SINGLE PLY ROOFING ASSOCIATION (SPRA)

177 Bagnall Road, Basford, Nottingham NG6 8SJ

Tel: 0115 970 3332 Fax: 0115 942 4488 Email: BFRC. Demon.Co.UK

Secretary: P K Newman

Status: Internationally recognised body representing reputable manufacturers and contractors within the UK single ply roofing industry.

Principal functions and activities: To create a healthy market environment in which sales of single ply membranes can flourish. To increase awareness and understanding of single play membranes within the roofing market place. To develop technical standards for the manufacturing and quality control single ply membranes by formalised training. To ensure good practice in the use of single ply roofing membranes by formalised training.

Publication: Code of Practice on Single Ply Membranes.

SMOKE VENTILATION ASSOCIATION (SVA)

Sterling House, 6 Furlong Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5DG

Tel: 01628 531186 Fax: 01628 810423

Email: Info@feta.co.uk Internet: http://www feta.co.uk/

Director General and Secretary: R J Baker

Status: The SVA is an Association within the HEVAC Association dealing with all matters of smoke ventilation for its members and industry.

Major publications: Specification of Requirements for Natural Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators; Specification for Powered Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators; Specification of Requirements for Smoke Curtains; Design Guide of Smoke Ventilation for Single Storey Industrial Buildings Including those with Mezzanine Floors and High Racked Storage Warehouses - Issue 3; Guidance for the Design of Smoke Ventilation System for Covered and Underground Car Parks - Issue 1; Application of Smoke Control Equipment and systems: Guide to Good Practice - Issue 1.

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF ASBESTOSIS AND INDUSTRIAL DISEASES (SPAID) see Occupational and Environmental Diseases Association (OEDA)

SOCIETY OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

6 St Andrew's Place, Regent's Park, London NW1 4LB

Tel: 0171 486 2641 Fax: 0171 486 0028

Executive Secretary: Mrs H Todd

Status: Learned society of doctors interested in the speciality of occupational medicine with some 2000 members, both in the UK and overseas. They are registered medical practitioners interested in the practice of occupational medicine.

Principal functions and activities: The society has ten regional groups which arrange scientific and social meetings throughout the year and the Society organises major national scientific meetings. The society provides a service to industry in circulating its members with details of job vacancies for occupational physicians and is able to provide employers with lists of names and details of qualifications, experience and accredited specialist status of those members who wish to avail themselves of this scheme. One of the principal aims of the society is to inform employers about occupational medicine, thereby enabling them to obtain advice on all occupational health matters from appropriately qualified specialists.

Major publications: The Society Journal - Occupational Medicine - has an international circulation and is issued free to all members. In addition the society produces a newsletter which contains news of group activities; notice of impending legislative changes; government standards; meetings and courses on occupational health and safety and extracts from the latest governmental standards and guidance notes.

SOLVENTS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (SIA)

Magnolia House, Bromley Road, Frating, Colchester CO7 7DR

Tel. and Fax: 01206 252 268

General Secretary: L B Christodoulides

Status: Association of solvent manufacturers and traders.

Principal functions and activities: Formed in 1973. Provides information, advice and services within the industry on technical, environmental and legal matters. Assists governments, authorities and other bodies in the promotion of environmental, health and safety and quality measures. Co-operates with authorities and bodies such as the British Standards Institution and the International Standards Organisation in the formulation of product specifications and testing procedures.

Publication: Solvents - A Guide to Safe Handling.

SOUTHWARK HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION CENTRE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

London Borough of Southwark, Chaplin House, Thurlow Street, London, SE17 2DG

Tel: 0171 525 5720

Principal functions and activities: Set up in 1995 as a result of an initiative by the National Health and Safety Group Council. Gives guidance and help to small businesses in the vicinity. The help is given free and all matters discussed at the centre are in strict confidence.

SPRING RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (SRAMA)

Henry Street, Sheffield S3 7EQ

Tel: 0114 2760771/2760542 Fax: 0114 2726344 Email: srama@srama.demon.co.uk

Director: D Saynor

Health and Safety Contract: Ms M O'Malley, Technical Information Officer

Status: Research and trade association

Principal functions and activities: Research into all aspects of spring technology and technical and commercial services for the spring and allied industries. Secretariat of the Spring Industry Joint Working Group on Health and Safety - a tripartite body made up of spring manufacturers, trade unions and the HSE - for which it keeps members informed of health and safety developments.

Major publications: Health and Safety in the Spring Industry - Commercial Report No.5, April 1979; Health and Safety Code of Practice - Recommended Health and Safety Practices in Springmaking Processes (Second Edition, 1993).

STANDING COMMITTEE ON STRUCTURAL SAFETY (SCOSS)

11 Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1X 8BH

Tel: 0171 235 4535 Fax: 0171 235 4294

Chairman: Prof A Kelly Secretary: Dr J Menzies Technical Officer: J N Clarke

Status: Independent body, supported by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, and the Health and Safety Executive.

Principal functions and activities: To assist in preventing disasters involving structural failure by maintaining a continuing review of building and civil engineering matters affecting the safety of structures; provides a route for expressions of informal public concern, and proposing strategies designed to reduce the incidence of structural accidents. The committee reports regularly to the presidents of the two institutions.

Major publications: Occasional reports (latest report, the Eleventh Report, November 1996.

STONE FEDERATION GREAT BRITAIN (SFGB)

18 Mansfield Street, London W1M 9FG

Tel: 0171 580 5404 Fax: 0171 636 5984

Director: G Weltch Deputy Director: Ms J Buxey

Status: Trade association

Principal functions: Provides a range of information and advice services for its member companies including: technical; training; employment; safety; and contractual issues. The Federation is the leading authority on natural stone construction and provides information on all the various types of stone available for construction; its use; performance and the relevant codes of practice. The SFGB is a member of the National Specialist Contractors Council.

Major publications: The Stone Federation Handbook; Guide to Indigenous Stone Quarries and the Natural Stone Glossary; publishes a range of data and information sheets.

STRESS AT WORK

14 Albion Place, Northampton NN1 1UD

Tel: 01604 259 770

Information Contact: Ms R Dunkley

Status: Counselling and consultancy - non profit-making organisation.

Principal functions and activities: Provides confidential stress counselling for individuals and organisations. Organisational consultancy; problem solving opportunities and training for the Northamptonshire region; Post Trauma group debriefing; organisational health and welfare; member of the International Forum for Organisational health.

SUSPENDED ACCESS EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER'S ASSOCIATION (SAEMA)

18 Mansfield Street, London, W1M 9FG

Tel: 0171 580 5404 Fax: 0171 636 5984

Director: G Weltch

Status: Represents the permanent cradle industry.

Principal functions and activities: Aims to ensure that members provide reliable access equipment for the safe and efficient cleaning and maintenance of building facades and to encourage safe practices. Operates mainly through its technical working party. Membership is only open to these companies who have been trading for more than three years and can demonstrate that they have a number of staff involved in design and manufacture. The SAEMA is a member of the National Specialist Contractors Council.

THE SUZY LAMPLUGH TRUST

14 East Sheen Avenue, London SW14 8AS

Tel: 0181 392 1839 Fax: 0181 392 1830

Director: Mrs D Lamplugh Secretary: P Lamplugh

Status: National charity

Principal functions and activities: The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the national charity for personal safety, with particular concern for the workplace. Research; education and training; publications; talks and seminars.

Major publications: Well Safe; The Risks in Going to Work; Relative Risks of Taxi and Minicab; Boating Aggression; Without Fear; personal safety booklets; Personal Safety in the Workplace; Personal Safety First; Personal Safety for Social Workers; Sentencing of Sex Offenders; Missing Persons - Whose Responsibility?; Too Many Victims - Whose Responsibility?; Youth of Britain - Personal Safety Matters (report); Guidance on Personal Safety for Disabled People (consultation paper); Personal Safety for Healthcare Workers; Home Safe - Personal Safety for Children.

TEXTILE RESEARCH COUNCIL (TRC)

Forest House Laboratories, Knaresborough Road, Harrogate HG2 7LZ

Tel: 01423 880349/885977 Fax: 01423 880045

Secretary: B I Brooke

Status: An association of independent research and technology organisations incorporating higher educational institutes (universities) specialising in the textile and clothing sectors.

Principal functions and activities: Co-ordination of collaborative research for the relevant industrial sectors, including aspects of the working environment.

Major publications: Series of reports on the working environment in the textile industry.

TEXTILE SERVICES ASSOCIATION (TSA)

7 Churchill Court, 58 Station Road, North Harrow, Middlesex HA2 7SA

Tel: 0181 863 7755 Fax: 0181 861 2115

Director: S G Rawlins

Status: Trade association.

Principal functions and activities: Promotional and protection activities on behalf of the UK's laundry, dry cleaning and textile rental industry.

Major publications: Health, Safety and Environment Management Guidelines; TSA code of practice.

THERMAL INSULATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (TICA)

Charter House, 450 High Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 1UF

Tel: 0181 514 2120 Fax: 0181 478 1256

Chief Executive: R Howe Company Secretary: G Rose

Director ACAD: C Amery Director IETA: G Dallas

Status: Trade association whose members are concerned with operations requiring high standards of competence specialist skills, training and stringent health and safety requirements.

Principal functions and activities: TICA co-ordinates the industrial relation needs of the insulation industry and represents its members in the UK and overseas. The primary business interest is thermal insulation and acoustic engineering. Asbestos removal is co-ordinated by the Asbestos Control and Abatement Division (ACAD), which provides information, technical bulletins, guidelines, and specialist training for the asbestos removal industry. The education and training of thermal insulation apprentices and operatives is carried out by the Insulation and Environmental Training Agency (IETA).

Major publications: ACADemy and Titan

TRADA TECHNOLOGY LTD

Stocking Lane, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4ND

Tel: 01494 563091 Fax: 01494 565487

Chairman: Dr C J Gill Managing Director: A R Abbott

Contact (Enquiries): Technical Advisory Line

Status: Independent, multi-disciplinary consultancy company serving the manufacturing, construction, service and merchant-based industries. Specialises in timber and timber products.

Principal functions and activities: Research and development work is carried out funded by the timber trade, industry, government and the EEC. Main services include consultancy, design, component testing, environmental assessment, quality assurance, fire testing, product conformity, structural engineering, health and safety compliance, training and information services. Information dissemination is through publications, seminars, courses and technical updating and awareness services.

Major publications: Newsletter (members only); wood information sheets; UPDATA-Standards; UPDATA - Legislation (includes health and safety update); research reports; technical brochures; business information sheets.

TRADES UNION CONGRESS (TUC)

Congress House, 23 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS

Tel: 0171 636 4030 Fax: 0171 636 0632 Telex: 268328 TUC G

Internet: http://www.tuc.org.uk

General Secretary: J Monks Health and Safety Officers: O Tudor, T Mellish

Status: National centre, British trade union movement

Principal functions and activities: The TUC is Britain's national trade union centre, with 74 affiliated unions representing 7 million people. The TUC is part of the tripartite Health and Safety Commission, and works with the HSE, European Commission and other bodies to promote health and safety at the workplace. The TUC provides training and information to workplace Safety Representatives and union safety specialists, and develops safety policies nationally and internationally. Currently campaigning against work-related upper limb disorders, deregulation and cuts in the HSE.

Major publications: A full publications list is available from the TUC. Key documents include: "Hazards at Work"; "Better Safety Standards"; and "Don't Suffer in Silence!" (a range of materials about RSI). The Publications List is available free on receipt of a large SAE.

TWI (business name of the Welding Institute)

Abington Hall, Abington, Cambridge CB1 6AL

Tel: 01223 891162 Fax: 01223 892588

Email: twi@twi.co.uk

Status: Non-profit distributing limited company, funded by member companies (industrial members) and individuals (professional members).

Principal functions and activities: Research and Development consultancy, information and advice on all aspects of materials joining technology for metals, plastics; and ceramics. Technical advice on the safety of materials and structures, and general safety aspects of welding and associated technologies. Training and certification of welding and NDT technologists. Professional body for welding engineers and technicians. Detailed advice and information is directly available to all company and individual members as part of their subscription. Non-members may obtain general technical advice from the Technical Enquiry Service; and a limited fume/safety audit.

Major publications: Books, films, videos, wall charts relating to welding safety available through: Woodhead Publishing (01223 891358).

UK OFFSHORE OPERATORS ASSOCIATION (UKOOA)

3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN

Tel: 0171 589 5255 Fax: 0171 589 8961

Status: The representative organisation for the British offshore oil and gas industry. Its members are the companies licensed by HM Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters.

Principal functions and activities: To co-ordinate policy formulation and implementation on issues affecting the UK offshore industry; to communicate such policy within the industry, and make representations to UK Government and Parliament and where appropriate to the European Commission and Parliament, on a wide range of safety, environmental, technical, operational, fiscal and legal matters. To maintain contact with the media and other national and international bodies on all aspects of offshore safety, operations and other industry matters.

Major publications: A wide range of guidelines on safety, training, medical, environmental, technical and operational matters for the offshore industry. In addition there are publications on specific study reports, fact sheets and brochures.

UK PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION LIMITED

9 Kingsway, London WC2B 6XH

Tel: 0171 240 0289 Fax: 0171 379 3102

Status: A trade association representing oil companies involved in the supply, refining and distribution of oil products in the UK.

Principal functions and activities: To represent the refining and distribution industry in communication with government, the EC, industrial and commercial bodies, media and the general public, particularly on regulatory matters affecting the industry. Activities cover a wide range of aspects with considerable emphasis on those relating to environment, health and safety.

Major publications: Oil Review, Oil Briefs.

UNIVERSITIES SAFETY ASSOCIATION (USA)

University of Wales College of Cardiff, 60 Park Place, Cardiff CF1 3AT

Tel: 01222 874790 Fax: 01222 874565 Email: MallowsB@cardiff.ac.uk

Honorary Secretary (Safety Office): B Mallows Chair: Dr T Robson

Status: Professional organisation.

Principal functions and activities: The objective of the association is to provide an organisation for the exchange of information on all aspects of health and safety, environmental health, training and related topics. The association liaises with other bodies having similar aims. It conducts educative meetings and publishes information for the benefit of its members and other interested parties and holds conferences.

Major publications: The association produces a publication, Safety Digest, which appears at 8-10 week intervals and contains an up-to-date information service for members. It includes items, papers and reports of substance including conference papers. Individual members also publish papers in national journals utilising information and data collected on behalf of the association.

UNIVERSITY OF ASTON IN BIRMINGHAM, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT See Aston University, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Health and Safety Unit.

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM. ERGONOMICS INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTRE See Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM. INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS GROUP See Industrial Ergonomics Group

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM. INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH See Institution of Occupational Health

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM. THE HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT

The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT

Tel: 0121 414 5251 Fax: 0121 414 3309 Email: D.T.Eden@bham.ac.uk

Internet: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Safety Unit/homepage.html

Director: D I Harrison Secretary, Health and Safety Unit: Mrs D T Eden

Status: University funded.

Principal functions and activities: The provision of a comprehensive range of health and safety services including occupational health. Functions include advice, training, investigation, policy formulation, testing and hygiene monitoring and monitoring of health and safety programme. Services are also available on a consultancy basis.

WALES TRADE UNION COUNCIL (WALES TUC CYMRU)

1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF1 9DS

Tel: 01222 372345 Fax: 01222 221940

General Secretary: D Jenkins Health and Safety: M Mansfield

Status: National trade union centre for Wales

Principal functions and activities: Health and Safety information and enquiry service for trade union officers and work place representatives in Wales periodic publications of health and safety related information.

WELDING INSTITUTE See TWI

WILLIS CORROON HINTON

5/6 Hitching Court, Blacklands Way, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 1RG

Tel: 01235 544833 Fax: 01235 544874 Email: Goatert@wcg.co.uk

Health, Safety and Environmental Information Centre Manager: T Goater

Status: Independent Organisation